(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS remarkable regular season run came to an end on Sunday afternoon at College Field.

After 41 consecutive regular season wins, UNB was defeated during their clash with the Mount Allison Mounties, 26-18, putting an end to an historic winning streak dating back to 2016.

It was a different looking REDS squad this season. They graduated 12 starters from last season and the team turned to a number of younger players in the season opener.

"Our team is quite young, losing a big grad class last year," said UNB Head Coach Bailey Andrews. "We knew going into this season we would be a young team and I could not be happier with how they played. With 12 of 15 starters being in their first or second year with the team and being able to play together like they did was fun to watch"

The Mounties were able to share the ball well with four different Mount Allison players scoring tries in the win. Eva Pestrin, Alex Warman, Vestia Milonga and Jenay Spence each scored a try while Spence converted three kicks in the match.

"Mount Allison is a strong team and have been building for the last few years, it was a tough game and both sides played hard," said Andrews. "At the end of the day the things we have been working on in practice were coming together and were evident through game play but the things we hadn't gotten to yet were the difference makers."

Ella Myers led the way for UNB, scoring two tries. Darcy Cronin added the other try for the REDS.

"Ella had a great game," said Andrews. "She only started playing rugby a year ago. She came to us as a football player, keen and ready to make an impact, she is consistent with her tackles and can always be counted on to gain some yard. She not only contributed on offence by scoring two tries but supporting her team in rucks and making her tackles as well."

The REDS are back in action at home this Sunday (Sept. 17) against Holland College at 2:00pm at College Field.

"This game showed us just how much potential the team has," said Andrews. "We had such a limited time together to prepare, having to cover such massive topics such as safe contact, passing, and structure. We know that Holland will be a very physical team, so we are going to have to focus on the breakdown and working together."

STORY BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Lauren Tidd/for UNB Athletics