Tigers defeat Huskies 2-1 despite outstanding play from Olsen

HALIFAX, NS - Saint Mary's forward Cara Freeman scored her sixth goal in as many games, but the Huskies lost to their crosstown rival Dalhousie Tigers 2-1 in Atlantic University Sport women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Wickwire Field in Halifax.

The Huskies opened the scoring just two minutes into the first half, as midfielder Charlotte Baines (Halifax, NS) danced up the right win, evading Tigers defenders before playing a perfectly placed throughball to forward Cara Freeman (Halifax, NS) who took one touch around Tigers keeper Emily Toth (Markham, ON) and deposited the ball into goal for her sixth goal of the campaign, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Freeman nearly doubled the Huskies lead right before the first half ended, as a creative free-kick saw defender Madison Ganong (Riverview, NB) fake a shot before playing a pass back to Freeman, who fired a shot that the Tigers defence didn't expect, but was denied by the crossbar.

The Tigers pushed for an equalizer, but Huskies goalkeeper Tatyana Olsen (Winnipeg, MB) was excellent, making several outstanding saves int he first half. Thanks to Olsen's heroics, the Huskies went into half with a 1-0 lead, despite a 5-4 shots on goal advantage for Dalhousie.

Dalhousie finally broke through in the 59th minute, as a free kick led to a collision in front of the Huskies goal, and the official awarded the Tigers a penalty kick. Forward Sally Steinberg (Ancaster, ON) scored from the penalty spot to tie the match at 1-1.

Just over 10 minutes later, the Tigers took the lead off of an outstanding individual effort by midfielder Jordan Mansfield (Vancouver, BC) who beat a defender, turned back, and fired a long, high shot that just snuck over Olsen's outstretched arms into goal, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute.

The Huskies were unable to respond over the final 20 minutes, and the Tigers held on for a tightly contested 2-1 win. Despite the defeat, Huskies goalkeeper Tatyana Olsen was excellent in her first start of the campaign, stopping 10 shots.

The Tigers win improves their record to a league-best 5-0-0, while the Huskies drop to 2-3-1. Both teams next contest will come on home field next Friday, Sept. 19 at 5:00 p.m., with the Tigers hosting the Mount Allison Mounties (0-6-0), while the Huskies host the UNB REDS (4-0-1). GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Nick Pearce / Dalhousie Tigers Athletics