On Oct. 19 and 21, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s soccer team finished their regular season strong, defeating both the Mount Roy- al Cougars and the University of Calgary Dinos at home and prolonging their winning streak to three games.

Playing their first game of the weekend at the Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park on Oct. 19, the Huskies men’s squad conceded a goal in the early stages of the game. How- ever, thanks to goals scored by midfielders Mohamed Omar, Marcello Gonzalez and Gabriel Buatois along with defender Ekior-Dourde Mieyafa, the Huskies squad came back and claimed a massive 4-1 victory against the Mount Royal Cougars.

During the team’s second game of the weekend, on Oct. 21, forward Tobias Hyrich-Krueger scored the opening goal against the U of C Dinos. Forward Nikolas Baikas put the icing on the cake by scoring the second goal of the game, achieving a 2-0 victory.

After the two victories of the weekend, the men’s team improved their overall record to 7-5-2, positioning them in second place for the Canada

West Prairie Division, which guarantees them a playoff spot. Huskies midfielder Kwame Opoku states that the team is thrilled after their recent winning streak but says that the players plan to keep their heads down and prepare for the playoffs rigorously.

“The boys and I are very ecstatic about the winning streak going into the playoffs, but nothing changes. We’ll pre- pare for this game like we have the past couple weekends, and hopefully, be going into the final four the following weekend,” Opoku said, via online communication with the Sheaf.

Opoku further explains that the team will be drawing on the strength of their coaching staff and the home-field advantage.

“Coach Chapman always has a plan, so as long as we continue training as we are, with so much depth, we aren’t worried — at least I am not — and play- ing at home, we will have the fans at our backs, making this first game a little more comfortable.”

The Huskies will be hosting the University of Fraser Valley Cascades for the Canada West quarter-final game on Oct. 27. The location of the game has yet to be confirmed, but it will either be taking place at Griffiths Stadium or at Field 7 in Nutrien Park.

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Heywood Yu

Photos: Heywood Yu