SASKATOON, Sask. - It was a night of celebration and strength Friday night at Griffiths Stadium as the Huskies honored their fifth year players while also sporting purple uniforms in support of cancer awareness in a U-Prairie Challenge, presented by SaskMilk, matchup with the Regina Cougars.
The Huskies capped off an event filled evening by securing a victory over the visiting Cougars by a final score of 2-1. Saskatchewan controlled much of the play over 90 minutes as the Dogs outshot the Cougs 16-9 and earned nine corners versus just two for Regina.
In the opening minutes of the match, the Huskies dictated much of the offense, earning three corner kicks and out-shooting the Cougars 5-2 over the first 20.
But it was Regina who jumped out to an early lead on a goal from Jessica Chow in the 22nd minute. After a failed Huskies clearing attempt, the Cougars midfielder executed a shot to the far post, giving the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
As the game wore into the late stages of the first half, the Dogs continued to press the attack as Saskatchewan earned a series of quality opportunities and corner kicks, but could not find a way to get the ball across the goal line.
The Huskies would eventually earn the equalizer in the 43rd minute thanks to a milestone goal from center-back
Amou Madol. The fifth year pharmacy student earned her first career goal as a Huskie on a beautiful strike that found the top-right corner from 22 yards out.
At the half, the provincial rivals were all square 1-1.
Coming out of the break, the Huskies offensive pace picked up where it left off, but the Regina defense held firm, managing to block a pair of Huskie shots from
Cheyenne Lehmann and
Jenna Steacy in the 46th and 48th minutes.
Steacy eventually found the back of the net in the 53rd minute, breaking through two Regina defenders and cutting towards the top of the box before curling a brilliant left-footed strike to the far post and past Cougars keeper Kareena Andersen, putting the Dogs ahead 2-1.
The go-ahead goal was extra special for the second year midfielder as it marked the first of her USPORTS career.
Regina looked to tie the game in the 64th minute after an excellent through-ball led to a scoring chance for Cougars midfielder Zoe Icton, but Huskies keeper
Kalin Roberts made the best of her five saves on the evening after a leaping stop deflected the ball high and wide.
It would prove to be Regina's best chance to tie the game as the Cougars offense could muster up only one more shot in the final 26 minutes.
The match would eventually settle with a final score of 2-1 as the Huskies earned their 5th year players a satisfying victory in their final regular season home game.
The Huskies' win moves their record to 6-2-3 and into sole possession of 3rd place in the Prairie Division.
For the Cougars, the loss drops them down to 4-7 and into a tie for 6th, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Saskatchewan now hits the road for their final three games of the regular season as the Dogs look to secure their spot in the Canada West playoffs.
UP NEXT
The U-Prairie Challenge continues October 12th at 7:00pm with the Huskies now traveling south to Regina for the second half of their home-and-home against the Cougars. Catch all the action live at
CanadaWest.tv.
Huskie Women's Soccer 5th Years
Jade Houmphanh
Jade, our techy queen. It has been a pleasure coaching you. Not only these past 5 years with our program, but right from our Jr Huskies program. We have seen you grow from a shy and humble player to a strong, confident leader who has found another level of excellence in your last 3 years. We are sure going to miss your no look passes, the countless Olympico goals and your amazing set piece delivery, but above all we are going to miss your humbleness, kindness and smile around our training sessions. Best of luck in the next chapter of your life. We are going to miss you greatly!
Kieran McKercher
Kieran, miss versatility. The ultimate teammate that every coach aspires to have on their team. You have been one of the most important players in redefining our culture of excellence and togetherness these past 5 years. Always ready to own your role and do whatever it takes for the team, it has been an absolute pleasure to have you be part of our program. And what a time to score your 1st career goal! – The floodgates have opened! – Best of luck in the next chapter of your life, we will miss you!
Amou Madol
Amou, we are sure glad you choose to become a Huskie for your last 3 years of your career. You have been an excellent addition to both our playing style and our humble and hardworking culture behind the scenes. We have seen you grow and mature through many hardships and that gives us certainty that you are going to make a difference in what comes next, there is no doubt. Keep bringing on that GOAT behaviour to everything you do! – We will miss you around here.
Caitlin Stove
Stover, what a journey kid. We are so proud of you and what you have accomplished over your last 7 years. Not many players have the resilience and determination to continue to persevere and show up day after day like you have done. Continue to be you in everything that you do and success will follow, it just a matter of time. Remember to keep finding the joy in everything that you do. We will miss you and all the best!
