Women net first two soccer wins of the season

After waiting till their ninth game of the season to finally pick up their first win, it only took the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s soccer team one more day to pick up win number two.

Back-to-back 1-0 shutouts against their provincial rival Regina Cougars vaulted the Huskies’ record to 2-4-4. The Huskies move into fifth place in the Prairie Conference and currently hold down a playoff spot.

On Saturday, Huskies rookie Payton Izsak netted her fourth goal of the season in the 75th minute of play for the lone goal on home turf in Saskatoon. Fellow rookie Hope Pelk picked up the clean sheet in net.

“I’m ecstatic for the girls, they have played so well and for a majority of our season we have been unlucky to not win,” said Huskies head coach Jerson Barandica-hamilton in a news release. “What a way to win, against a provincial rival with seven rookies in our starting lineup. I am so proud with the effort and quality with which they played.”

In an identical result to Saturday, third-year defender Kalli Cowles’ header in the 41st minute provided the margin of victory in the Huskies 1-0 win on Sunday at the U of R Field. Pelk picked up her second straight shutout.

The Huskies return home for a weekend set against the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds.

The second night on the ice at the newly christened Merlis Belsher Place wasn’t nearly as sweet for the Huskies women’s hockey team as their first night was.

The Huskies dropped a 2-1 game to the University of Alberta Pandas on Saturday. One night earlier the Huskies defeated the Pandas 1-0 in the inaugural Canada West game at Merlis Belsher Place.

Leah Bohlken scored both weekend goals for the Huskies. Kennedy Ganser and Autumn Macdougall finished with two points each for the Pandas on Saturday, with both recording a goal and an assist.

Despite the loss, Huskie goalie Jessica Vance was named the first star as she recorded 32 saves. Meanwhile Kirsten Chamberlin stopped 25 of 26 shots for Alberta.

The Huskies travel to Calgary this weekend for a two-game series against the Dinos.