EDMONTON - Ajeej Sarkaria netted his seventh goal of the year on the way to a 1-0 victory for the Golden Bears against the Saskatchewan Huskies at Foote Field Friday afternoon. 

On a cold and breezy day, the Golden Bears (4-1-4) welcomed back some key starters and held the Huskies (3-5-1) potent, 2nd-ranked offence scoreless for just the second time this season.

This was a key matchup in the Central division playoff race, as this victory clinches a playoff berth for the Golden Bears, and a boost to potentially catch the Calgary Dinos or Mount Royal Cougars at the top of the division.

In the inverse, the Huskies drop points and are at rick of losing the fourth and final playoff sport to the MacEwan Griffins (2-4-2) who play the Dinos in Calgary this weekend.

QUICK HITTERS

• This was the first Alberta win versus the Huskies since September 30^th, 2018.
• Sarkaria's seventh goal puts him at the moment tied with Mount Royal's Mohamed El gandour for the Canada West Golden Boot
• Liam Collens clean sheet adds to his phenomenal campaign, the Canada West leader in clean sheets, GAA, and Saves

The game was a true war of attrition, with both teams struggling to find quality scoring chances. Alberta dominated possession in the first half, playing calculated and largely mistake-free soccer.

The Huskies managed just two shots to the Bears six in the first 45.

Sarkaria potted one unassisted in the 24^th minute of play on an outstanding individual effort, while forward Ajani Fountaine led offensive efforts for Saskatchewan.

The second half started with an improved push from the Huskies, but Collens (3 saves) and the Bears back four stood solid. 

The Bears and Huskies finish their regular season on Sunday at Griffiths Stadium in Nutriend Park at 2:15 PM for the Bateman Cup; with Alberta hoping to catch the Dinos or Cougars for a home playoff game, and the Huskies looking to gain back ground on MacEwan for the fourth and final playoff berth.