SASKATOON - A new season is ahead for a University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's soccer team that will be hoping the young core from a successful season last year leads them to further heights in 2019.
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Beginning the season on the road against the Manitoba Bisons (Sept. 6, 6 p.m.) and Winnipeg Wesmen (Sept. 7, 6 p.m.) will be a Huskies' team that made it to the Canada West quarter-final stage despite having 17 players in their first or second year of eligibility in 2018.
"We are still young but we're not as young, is how we look at it," said Huskies head coach
Jerson Barandica-Hamilton. "It's still a process, our success will be dependent on how quickly we can learn from the experiences we had last year and use that to start at a higher level in the beginning of the season. We have talented players, a very good core group of first, second and third years as well as some experienced fourth and fifth years."
Starting pre-season in August, Saskatchewan took that time to blend their seven newcomers with a now more-experienced bunch, including
Jenelle Zapski who returns to the program for her fifth and final year of eligibility after a lengthy absence.
Zapski, who was a Canada West All-Star in 2013,2014 and 2015 joins
Payton Izsak and
Haley Mercier in being recognized at the conference level, after those players were named to the Canada West All-Rookie team last year.
Other experience for this squad to draw upon includes a group of
players who competed at one of the highest levels in North America throughout the Summer.
In the middle of their pre-season, the Huskies took part in a tournament in Regina, compiling a record of 1-1-1 over three games. They lost to the Calgary Dinos (0-2), beat the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (2-0) and tied with the Manitoba Bisons (1-1)
"It went well, we started later than a lot of other teams so I think when we went to Regina we were lacking a little sharpness compared to other teams, but we did well to compete," said Barandica-Hamilton. "This past week was very good for us in terms of our training so I think our team is excited and ready to go."
Ranked eighth in the annual CW coaches poll, an area of strength for the Huskies will be in attack. While their goal-scoring total of 14 goals was only 11th-best in the conference last year, Saskatchewan created plenty of scoring opportunities with a fluid, attacking style of play
"We want to be exciting for the fans, we want to be the team that goes out and attacks while still finding a balance between when to attack and when to be patient," said Barandica-Hamilton. "That's one thing that we've improved on, is not allowing our eagerness to overrule our decisions and that's a sign of being a bit more mature."
A key to the season for this edition of the Huskies will be a strong start, Saskatchewan earned just four points in their opening eight games last season, forcing them to go on a streak that saw them win five of seven games before falling to the Dinos in the conference quarter-finals.
"Our team just knows how it felt at the start of last year to dominate games and not get the three points," said Barandica-Hamilton. "This year we are using that as a learning experience to make sure that we do enough in finishing our chances to make sure there is no doubt that we win the game."
2019 Huskie Season Preview
2018 CW regular season record: 4-6-4, 5th in Prairie Division
2018 CW post-season record: 1-1, lost in CW quarter-final
Head coach: Jerson Barandica-Hamilton (6th season) / 36-17-15 (Career CW regular season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: None
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: None
2018 CW regular season ranks:
- Offence: 14 goals, 11th in CW
- Defence: 22 goals against, 8th in CW
2018 CW regular season leaders:
- Goals: 4 – Cassidy Hayward, F, Payton Izsak M
- Assists: 2 – Brynn Bowles, D, Kalli Cowles, D
- Points: 5 – Cassidy Hayward, F, Payton Izsak M
- Wins: 2 – Hope Pelk, GK, Jadyn Steinhauer, GK
- Shutouts: 2 – Hope Pelk, GK, Jadyn Steinhauer, GK
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Key performer:
Izsak was recognized on the conference level with a Canada West All-Rookie team nod after a sensational rookie campaign in 2018, and this season the second-year midfielder will aim to lead her club offensively once again. Izsak tied for the team lead in goals and points with fellow rookie
Cassidy Hayward during the 2018 regular season. Izsak's postseason play was pivotal role in the club's victory in the Canada West Play-In game, as she scored two goals to help upset the Victoria Vikes and advance the Huskies to the conference quarter-finals. Izsak's goal-scoring prowess will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the Huskies chase to qualify for their eighth-consecutive playoff appearance.
