Saskatchewan Huskies vs Alberta Pandas & MacEwan Griffins
Date	Saturday, Sept. 5 | Sunday, Sept. 6
Time	12:00 PM CST | 12:00 PM CST
Location	Foot Field | Clarke Stadium
Webcast	CanadaWest.tv
Live Stats	huskies.usask.ca
Socials	Twitter | Instagram

This Friday marks the official kick off of the 2026 Canada West Women's Soccer season and the beginning of yet another pursuit of conference superiority for 15 programs. Receiving no time to ease into the latest campaign, the University of Saskatchewan Huskie Women's Soccer team will be tested immediately with a pair of matches against divisional opponent in the Alberta Pandas and MacEwan Griffins this weekend in Edmonton.

Having graduated several key pieces to the program over the last few years, the 2026 Huskies are naturally a younger team, however have already displayed a unique cohesiveness and maturity compared to prior squads. This group features a number of second and third year student-athletes who have quickly seized the opportunity to take on larger roles and, combined with experienced veterans and a skilled rookie class, leave the team in an exciting position headed into the regular season. As the program continues to evolve, the latest campaign offers an exciting opportunity for the team to resume their pursuit of a conference championship.

Last season saw similar results in the Dogs' season series with their week one opponents in 2026. The Huskies suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses to the Pandas and Griffins on the road before avenging their losses at home with 2-0 (vs MacEwan) and 2-1 (vs Alberta) wins later in the season. Adding to the complexity of their opening matches, the MacEwan Griffins open the season ranked just one spot ahead of Saskatchewan for sixth in the conference preseason coaches poll while the Pandas debuted at No. 10.
 

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GAME NOTES

QUOTE FROM THE COACH: "Our 2026 team is a young, determined and very cohesive group. We are very excited to continue building on the consistent success that we have had and look forward to showcasing our Huskie DNA style of play that looks to control and dominate all phases of the game through our adaptability. We take pride in being unique and playing a brand of football that excites fans and our supporters!" - Jerson Barandica Hamilton

VS THE PANDAS: In the past 15 meetings between the two prairie programs, the Huskies have won seven meetings while the Pandas have taken four. Head-to-head meetings have also seen four games result in a draw. 

VS THE GRIFFINS: Saskatchewan is 8-9-4 all-time against MacEwan, who has controlled the divisional rivalry as of late winning five the last seven matches. 

WELL TESTED: The Huskies put on a flawless performance in the preseason, earning four victories against MRU (2-1), Calgary (2-1) and Regina (2-0, 5-1).

ATTACKERS: The 2026 edition of the Huskie front line featires a dynamic and explosive group highlighted by Isabelle Lachance and Cheyenne Lehmann. Lachance is coming of a remarkable rookie campaign in which the Calgary native burst onto the scene with a nine-point season on her way to being named a U SPORTS All-Rookie. Lehmann meanwhile brings veteran experience to the starting striker position, and is motvated to contribute on and off the pitch after being somewhat of an x-factor down the stretch in 2025 for the Huskies.

MIDFIELD: Perhaps the strongest unit this season, the midfield group features five starting calibre athletes who have demonstrated early this year their commitment to working hard and being intentional with their play. Nammi Nguyen, Daraida Sutherland, Cassidy Vieira, Danielle Lehmann, and Jana Van Niekerk ae expected to be the workhorses in the middle of the pitch. 

DEFENDERS: On the backline the team will showcase an athletic unit full of footballers. A dark horse group who have the potential to be the most impactful unit in 2026, the defenders are headlined by returning student-athletes Jenna Steacy, Julie Randall, Hadley Anthony and incoming rookie Hazel Turnbull. 

GOALKEEPERS: A cohesive group who is hungry to develop, the Huskie goalkeepers feature an exciting group with plenty of potential. Julie Snider returns after taking over starting duties a season ago, along with Alyssa Paydli who is back for her second year in the program. Adding depth and experience to the group is Nadia Kalyar who is back for her fourth-year after suiting up in green and white from 2022 to 2024.