Tigers win season opener 2-1 over Huskies

Photo by Trevor MacMillan
Photo by Trevor MacMillan

Game recap by: Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In the kickoff of the 2018-19 AUS soccer season, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the Saint Mary's Huskies in the Cross Town Derby at the Halifax Wanderers Grounds. After an explosive first half, the Tigers came out on top in the season opener by a score of 2-1.

The Tigers maintained the advantage of possession in the early minutes of the game, with offensive chances being scarce. It took until the 15th minute for a chance coming from the boot of Jensen Hudder, (White's Lake, NS) who took a hard strike from the top of the box that was handled cleanly by Ashley Blank (Cole Harbour, NS).

Just moments later the Tigers were able to break the deadlock. Riley Donovan (Toronto, ON) sent a shot into the box that was deflected, but stayed there long enough for Maya Venkatarman (Summerland, BC) to clean up the rebound to open the scoring.

After a collision at the edge of the box resulted in a straight red for Tigers keeper Kate Fines (Halifax, NS), Paige Vincent (Dartmouth, NS) was awarded a penalty. Vincent stepped up to the dot against substitute keeper Sam Corcoran (Ottawa, ON) and fired her shot to the left side. Corcoran picked the correct side, and was able to make the initial stop, but Vincent charged in after the shot and put away the rebound to tie it up at 1-1.

Answering back just a few minutes later, Jensen Hudder send in a looping shot from well outside the box that curled over the head of Blank to give the Tigers the advantage heading into the break at 2-1.

The second half was full of strong possession play, but very little in terms of scoring chances.

The only action in the half came from a strike at the top of the box from Anelise Karakostas (Victoria, BC), but it was swallowed up by Corcoran to keep her team in front.

After a very quiet second half, the final whistle blew to make the final score 2-1 for the Tigers, taking the victory in the season opener.

The Subway Player of the Game for this one was Jensen Hudder of the Tigers, for her game winning goal.

The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to take on Mount Allison. The Huskies will also be back on the pitch on Sunday when they host the Acadia Axewomen.