Huskies top Tigers in final seconds

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics  

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's forward Katelyn Schuler scored a 90th minute game-winning goal as the Huskies defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Huskies stadium in Halifax. 

It was the Dalhousie Tigers who took the lead early, as in the 6th minute, defender Hannah Firstbrook (Nepean, ON) laced a pass over the top of the defence on to the foot of forward Taylor Heard (Ottawa, ON) who beat Huskies goalkeeper Katie Alley (Milton, ON), giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. 

But the Huskies would respond less than a minute late, as midfielder Sarah Eden (Ottawa, ON) played a pass towards forward Cara Freeman (Halifax, NS) who outmuscled a Tigers defender to the ball and finished past goalkeeper Brianne MacDonald (Chelsea, QC). 

The next 30 minutes of play saw some good scoring opportunities from both teams, including several near misses by Tigers forward Elise Evans (Toronto, ON) but neither team was able to take the lead. 

That would change in the 44th minute as defender Madlyn Blinn (Lower Sackville, NS) sent a long ball to Cara Freeman, who took on one defender, drew the attention of the goalkeeper and played a pass to teammate Áine O'Neil (New Ross, NS) who scored her second of the season, giving Saint Mary's a 2-1 lead at the half. 

Midway through the second half, Tigers reserve midfielder Jordan Mansfield (Vancouver, BC) fired a bouncing shot that beat Alley to the right corner to tie it back up at 2-2 in the 71st minute. 

Both teams had several opportunities to take a lead but neither team was able to find a go-ahead goal until the 90th minute. 

In added time, substitute defender Alexa Ikejiani (Minesing, ON) sent a perfect cross on to the head of forward Katelyn Schuler (Edmonton, AB) – who had just substituted into the game – who directed it past MacDonald to win the game 3-2. 

Cara Freeman was named Player of the Match with a goal and an assist while goalkeeper Katie Alley stopped four shots for the win. 

The Huskies win improves their record to 3-4-1 on the season, good for fifth place in the AUS standings. They'll hit the road next weekend to take on the STFX X-Women (3-2-1) on Saturday and Cape Breton Capers (5-0-1) on Sunday, with both games scheduled to kick-off at 1 p.m. 

The Tigers loss drops their record to 2-3-2 on the campaign. Dalhousie will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 28, hosting the UNB REDS (6-1-0) at 5:30 p.m. at Wickwire Field in Halifax.