Despite dropping their last game of the season to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in a 4-1 loss on Oct. 26 in Winnipeg, the Huskies men’s soccer team finished atop the Prairie Division rankings with an 8-5-2 record.

The Huskies were the stronger team in the first half and came close to jumping on the scoreboard in the opening five minutes of play. Striker Brett Levis had two shots from close range, but both times Wesmen keeper Tyson Ferago was there to make the save. The Wesmen had a chance of their own when forward Ryan Ramjiawan broke away down the right side and took a shot on net, but Huskies keeper Michal Bandula turned it away.

Luigi Bekwayo got the Huskies on the board in the 28th minute when he scored his seventh goal of the season off a pass from Garrett Peters. The opening half ended with the visiting team leading 1-0.

The Wesmen launched an offensive attack in the second half, beginning with a goal from Kenny Sacramento in the 50th minute to tie the score. The home team pulled ahead 2-1 fourteen minutes later off a goal from Miguel Fictoria. Goals came quick for the home team and five minutes further along Adam Bromley netted Enrique Garcea’s corner kick for a 3-1 lead.

The Huskies searched for some offence of their own but saw their best opportunity denied. Levis had a chance in the 73rd minute but Joshua Partaker, who subbed in for Farago at half time, made the save. Scott Ansel scored the final goal of the night for the Wesmen off a pass from Sacramento to bring the tally to 4-1.

Bandula made five saves in the Huskies’ net while Farago and Partaker recorded a combined five. The Wesmen outshot the Huskies 17-14.

The Huskies receive a bye into the semi-final round of Canada West playoffs thanks to their season ending number one ranking. They will play the winner of the quarter-final match between the University Calgary Dinos and the University of Victoria Vikes.

The Huskies are 1-1 against the Dinos and tied their sole game Vikes.

The semi-final will be played at the University of British Columbia on Nov. 1.