REGINA, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Huskies put last weekend's results behind them in emphatic fashion Friday night (Sept. 25), earning a convincing 3-0 road victory over the Regina Cougars at U of R Field. The win improves Saskatchewan's conference record to 4-2-1 and provides a major boost heading into Sunday's rematch in Saskatoon.
The Huskies wasted little time asserting themselves, striking twice in the opening 10 minutes to take complete control of the contest.
The first score came in the ninth minute after pressure from a
Jenna Steacy throw-in resulted in a Regina foul inside the penalty area. Team-leading scorer
Cheyenne Lehmann stepped up to the spot and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, burying her second penalty kick of the season and third goal overall to give the Huskies a 1-0 advantage. The goal would stand as the game-winner.
Just 98 seconds later, the Huskies doubled their lead through a brilliant individual effort from
Isabelle Lachance. Taking possession down the left wing, Lachance drove at her defender before cutting back and inside to create space just outside the penalty area. The striker then unleashed a shot that tucked just underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net for her second goal of the season. Steacy picked up the assist as Saskatchewan surged ahead 2-0 before the match was 11 minutes old.
The quick start allowed the Huskies to settle into the match and dictate play for long stretches. Saskatchewan held a significant edge in opportunities, out-shooting Regina 11-5 and limiting the Cougars to just two shots on target all evening. Goalkeeper
Alyssa Paydli was sharp when called upon, turning aside both shots she faced to record her fourth shutout of the season.
While the Huskies controlled possession throughout the second half, they put the match beyond doubt in spectacular fashion in the 71st minute.
Defender
Daraida Sutherland lined up a corner kick and delivered a perfectly struck ball that curled directly into the goal for an Olimpico marker. The goal was the first of the season for Sutherland and just the second of her green & white career. Remarkably, her only other career goal also came directly from a corner kick, making for another memorable moment from the defender.
From there, Saskatchewan comfortably saw out the clean sheet, completing one of its strongest performances of the season. The Huskies' back line kept Regina largely quiet throughout the match, while the attack generated seven shots on goal and consistently threatened to add to the scoreline.
After dropping a pair of matches last weekend, the victory serves as an important response for the Huskies as they continue their push up the Canada West standings.
Saskatchewan will now return home looking to build on the momentum when the Cougars visit Griffiths Stadium for the second game of the weekend series on Sunday.
