Football:
It was a dominating performance for the Huskies as they took down the University of Regina Rams by a score of 33–18 for their first win of the 2015 season.
After a slow start, both the offence and defence found their rhythm and proceeded to lay the wood to their provincial rivals. Both sides of the ball gave their best efforts of the year, as Drew Burko and the offence moved the ball effectively all night and didn’t turn the ball over once.
Meanwhile, led by Dane Bishop, the defence allowed just two touchdowns — one in the first quarter and one very late in the fourth — as they stuffed the Rams all game long. Bishop led the team with nine tackles, as well as recording a sack, forcing and recovering a fumble.
Using a balanced attack, the Huskies kept the Rams off guard as a powerful rushing attack led by Tyler Chow and Shane Buchanan allowed the passing game to open up. Chow had 124 yards along the ground, while Buchanan had 87. Burko finished the night 19 for 30 with 243 yards and three touchdowns. His favourite target was Mitch Hillis, who hauled in nine catches for 135 yards and two scores.
Men’s Soccer:
Using a very solid defensive effort, the Dogs handed the Mount Royal University Cougars their first loss of the season by a score of 2–1.
Saskatchewan got off to a fast start as rookie midfielder Marcello Gonzales opened the scoring in only the fourth minute of the match. His first of the season came off a cross from Jakub Rogowski, and the fast start allowed the Huskies to settle into their play style. Keeper Greg Buckley never faced a shot in the first 45 minutes of action.
The Huskies widened their lead in the 52nd minute when Gonzales set up fellow rookie Avery Michael for his first goal of the campaign, as he hammered one home from just inside the box. Mount Royal made things interesting as they converted off a corner kick in the 68th minute to cut the lead in half, but that was close as they got, with Buckley shutting the door the rest of the way.
It was a tough finish on the road trip for the Dogs as they fell 2–0 to the University of Calgary Dinos, who remain undefeated on the season while the loss drops the Huskies’ record to 2–2.
In the fourth minute of the match, Calgary was awarded a penalty kick, which they converted and used for an early lead. Similar to the Huskies the day before, the Dinos were able to sit back comfortably with the immediate advantage.
The Huskies played well and, as usual, controlled possession for most of the match. They fired 14 shots at the goal, with only three hitting the target. While they did have plenty of chances, the well-rounded Dinos played a very solid game, with keeper Colin Hasick recording the clean sheet.
Calgary put it out of reach in the 90th minute as Dominic Russo buried one past Buckley off of a great pass and spoiled any chance of a late Huskie equalizer.
Women’s soccer:
On a gusty day in Lethbridge, the Pronghorns came out on top with a 2–1 victory. While the Huskies outplayed Lethbridge, the bounces just wouldn’t go the Dogs’ way.
After a dull first half where neither team had quality scoring chances, the second half picked up the intensity. The majority of chances went to the Huskies, but the Pronghorns opened the scoring in the 58th minute off of a free kick.
Rookies Rita Fetch and Leesa Eggum connected for a goal that evened the game at one in the 71st minute. However, less than a minute later the Pronghorns used the wind advantage to take back the lead. A long ball from nearly half from Erica Augsten — actually the only third Pronghorn shot on target in the game — bounced high and over Huskies keeper Cara Santaga for the winning goal.
The Huskies bounced back in a big way from their first loss of the season the day before, as they scored three unanswered goals to down the Dinos 3–1.
In a fairly even contest, the Dogs once again fell behind early as the Dinos took a 1–0 lead in just the fifth minute. The green and white fought back hard, however, and were rewarded for their efforts in the 18th minute when captain Meagan Manson scored off a scramble in the box. Her fourth goal of the season tied the game at one apiece.
Before the first half finished, the Huskies took the lead as Jenelle Zapski scored her first of the season in tight after a great cross from teammate Kelly Cerkwoniak. In the 52nd minute, the Dogs got some insurance via the boots of Erica Hindmarsh, as she fired a shot past the Dino keeper and into the top corner of the net.
Saskatchewan’s tight defence in the rest of the game allowed them to hang on for the victory. Keeper Kyleigh Vause made four saves to record the win.