Huskies, Panthers end in 2-2 tie

(Halifax, N.S.)—In what can only be described as a barn burner, the visiting UPEI Panthers and the home side SMU Huskies drew even 2-2 on Saturday night in Atlantic University Sport men's soccer action from Huskies Stadium. 

Ignacio Sanchez (Cornwall, PE) paced the Panthers with two goals in the match. 

Sanchez broke open the scoring in the 7th minute off a SMU penalty.  

The fifth-year midfielder stepped up to the spot and beat Saint Mary's keeper Jensen Brown (Enfield, NS) for a 1-0 UPEI lead. 

Saint Mary's scored in the 19th minute from James Spence (Hammonds Plains, NS) who managed to slip past the UPEI back four as the Huskies drew the 1-1 score. 

Sanchez found the goal sheet once again in the 54th minute off a corner kick.  

Sam Smiley (Stratford, PE) played the ball to the top of the box, where Sanchez got a foot on it, and took a deflection off a SMU defender.  

Brown had no chance to make any save as UPEI led 2-1. 

In the 78th minute, SMU's Tyler Dorey (Cole Harbour, NS) scored the equalizer, striking the ball on mid-volley with his left foot off a cross from Abdoulaye Barry (Conakry, West Africa) for the 2-2 tie. 

UPEI had 14 shots compared to 11 for SMU while each team had seven shots on goal. 

Brett Strba (Fall River, NS) made five saves in nets for UPEI while Brown finished with five saves as well. 

UPEI, 4-5-2, sit in the sixth and final playoff spot with 14 point, while SMU, 5-5-1, are in the fourth spot with 16 points. 

The Panthers host Mount Allison October 26th at 3:15 p.m. while Saint Mary's season finale is October 25th versus Moncton at 7:15 p.m. 

Dominic Nolasco, SMU 

Photo Nick Pearce