THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ return to play has been memorable, with deep playoff runs, high scoring games and fantastic individual play. With the turn of the calendar marking the midway point of the 2021-22 U Sports season, let’s recap the top moments from the Huskies season so far.
Adam Machart propels Huskies to Vanier Cup with last second touchdown
The Huskies football team was a formidable force during the season, but met their match against the Montreal Carabins’ stout defence in the Uteck Bowl, the national semifinal. Both defences were adamant on not conceding easy scores, and the Huskies found themselves trailing by three points with less than two minutes remaining.
Quarterback Mason Nyhus’s passes connected with receivers Colton Klassen and Sam Baker for crucial yard gains. However, it was all-star running back Adam Machart who booked the Huskies’ trip to the Vanier Cup, the national final. Machart took the handoff from Nyhus and sprinted behind the Huskies’ offensive line, shifting past the Carabins’ defence into the endzone and silencing the crowd at the CEPSUM.
Jadyn Steinhauer becomes the Huskies’ saviour in the Canada West Quarter-Final penalty shootout
After an impressive regular season with just two losses out of 12 games, the Huskies women’s soccer team faced the talented Calgary Dinos, featuring Montana Leonard, the U Sports women’s soccer Player of the Year, in the Canada West Quarter-Final.
The first 120 minutes of the match ended in a stalemate as both sides were scoreless. A penalty shootout would be required to decide the Huskies’ fate, and fifth-year goalkeeper Jadyn Steinhauer answered the call.
Steinhauer showcased her goalkeeping prowess as she saved two of the first four Dinos penalty kicks. The Huskies scored on three out of their five tries, and Steinhauer’s leaping save of the Dinos’ fifth penalty kick earned the Huskies their fourth Canada West Final Four appearance in program history.
Emily Koshinsky becomes the Huskies women’s volleyball all-time leader in kills
The Huskies women’s volleyball team currently sports a 7-1 record, with fifth-year outside hitter Emily Koshinsky playing a major role in the team’s success. Koshinsky leads the team this season in aces, but her most impressive accolade is leading the team in kills both in the current season and all-time.
After tying the Huskies’ program record for kills with 1028 kills, Koshinsky added 10 kills during the Nov. 13 game against the Manitoba Bisons to take sole possession of the number one spot. The experienced hitter sets a new all-time record with each game she plays, and will no doubt be a key contributor to the team in the playoffs.
Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei scores a laser beam free kick
With Huskies men’s soccer down 0-1 against the Mount Royal Cougars on Oct. 16, second-year defender Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei lined up for a free kick a few yards out from the penalty box. Sizing up the goal, he struck the ball with immense power and precision. It soared over the Cougars’ defenders, past the outstretched arms of the Cougars’ goalkeeper and straight into the top left corner of the goal.
Huskies men’s hockey complete third-period comeback against Mount Royal Cougars
With a 10-4 record, the Huskies men’s hockey team is second in Canada West. No victory serves as a greater microcosm of their resilience and scoring ability this season than their come-from-behind win against the Mount Royal Cougars on Dec. 4.
The Huskies trailed the Cougars 4-2 with less than 10 minutes to go in the third period. Third-year defenceman Shane Collins found the back of the net with a wrist shot to cut the Cougars lead to one goal.
The Huskies followed it up with a blitz of two goals in the span of 30 seconds, turning a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead, and never looked back as they added two more goals to ensure a 7-4 victory.
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While some seasons have concluded, the Huskies’ hockey, basketball and volleyball teams continue the second half of their seasons in 2022. They can be watched through the Canada West website until the ban on in-person attendance is lifted.
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Uday Chhina | Sports and Health Editor
Photos: As Credited