Huskies overpower Panthers 4-1

HALIFAX, NS—Saint Mary's forward Sean Freeman scored a goal and added an assist, as the Huskies defeated the UPEI Panthers 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.

It was the Panthers who had the first quality chance of the match, with forward Jahmal Boursiquot (Ottawa, ON) collecting the ball in the box and turning to fire a low shot which was saved cleanly by Huskies goalkeeper Ryan Davis (Lake Loon, NS). 

Just a minute later, the Huskies took the lead, as midfielder Scott Firth (Windsor Junction, NS) played a long free-kick over the defence and forward Sean Freeman (Halifax, NS) was able to poke it past Panthers goalkeeper Isaac Wolters (North Wiltshire, PEI) for his fourth goal of the year, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. 

Saint Mary's kept pushing and had several opportunities to double their lead. First forward Colby Mercer (Beaverbank, NS) cut in and fired a shot that was deflected by a defender and gathered by Wolters. Several minutes later, Huskies midfielder Nathaniel Langille (St. Margaret's Bay, NS) fired a shot off the crossbar.  

The Huskies thought they had the second goal when Sean Freeman played a high ball on to the head of Will Brown (Halifax, NS) who directed it into goal, only to be called offside.  

Finally Colton Kaizer (Chester Basin, NS) took a pass from Scott Firth and fired a high shot off the crossbar and down, but somehow stayed out. Despite outshooting the Panthers 9-4 through the first 45 minutes, the Huskies lead at the half remained 1-0. 

Early in the second half, Kaizer and the Huskies finally got their second goal, as Sean Freeman took a pass in the box, turned and played a no-look pass across the goal onto the foot of Colton Kaizer, who deposited it into the Panthers goal for his second goal of the season in the 47th minute. 

Saint Mary's added to their lead just five minutes later, with Colby Mercer playing a pass back to left back Woody Bain (Dartmouth, NS) who fired a low hard shot that was deflected in by teammate Scott Firth. Firth's third goal of the campaign made it 3-0 Huskies in the 52nd minute. 

UPEI would get a goal back in the 86th minute, as midfielder Chase Bell (Charlottetown, PEI) played a long pass forward to Will Campbell (Charlottetown, PEI) who took one touch to the outside and shot it past Davis to cut the lead to 3-1. 

But the Huskies weren't done yet, as Colby Mercer collected a long pass down the right wing and played a beautiful assist on to the foot of first year forward Tonye Ogon (Bayelsa, Nigeria) who put it past Wolters for his first career AUS regular season goal, securing the 4-1 Huskies victory. 

Huskies forward Sean Freeman was named Player of the Match with a goal and an assist, while Chase Bell was named Player of the Match for the Panthers. 

Ryan Davis made two saves for the win, while Isaac Wolters stopped two shots in defeat. 

The Huskies win snaps a two game losing skid, bringing their record to 7-4-0 on the campaign. They'll have next weekend off before finishing the season on home field on Saturday, Oct. 19 as they host the Cape Breton Capers (7-0-2) at 7:15 p.m. at Huskies Stadium. 

The Panthers record now stands at 3-6-1 on the campaign. UPEI will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 18, visiting the Acadia Axewomen (1-7-3) at 7:15 p.m. in Wolfville, NS.

RECAP BY: Allan April, SMU Huskies Athletics / PHOTOS BY: Mona Ghiz, Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics