The University of Regina's women's soccer team lost to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 2-1 on a cold night in Regina.
Payton Izsak and Maya Gabruch scored for the Huskies as they clinched first place in the Canada West East Division. Saskatchewan will host the 2
nd place team from the Central Division in the quarter finals.
"I give the girls a lot of credit today," said Cougars interim co-head coach
Rob McCaffrey. "They came out and stuck to the game plan. We got punched, we punched back. It was a situation where it was a give and take game and unfortunately we came out on the short side."
The beginning of the game was tightly contested by both sides. Regina was playing to possibly overtake the Huskies for first place while Saskatchewan understood that winning today would lock it up. In the 30
th minute, Izsak opened the scoring with a rocket shot to the right side from the top of the 18-yard box. A minute later, the Cougars had a chance to tie the game when they were awarded a penalty kick. Huskies goalkeeper Jadyn Steinhauer read the opportunity from
Peyton Enns perfectly as she dove to her right to make the important save. Both teams had five shots in the first half.
In the 71
st minute, Cougars midfielder
Taylor Bubnick was taken down while streaking down the sideline. She took the ensuing free kick from 35 yards out and sent it perfectly into the box.
Jessica Merk put a beautiful touch on the ball to send it into the net to tie the game for the Cougars. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, Huskies striker Maya Gabruch cleaned up a rebound off a corner kick and scored the game winner. Only minutes later,
Kyra Vibert had an opportunity to tie the game again but her shot rang off the post.
Steinhauer made an even 10 saves to secure the victory for the first place Huskies. Regina keeper
Allyson Ford made six saves in the loss.
"Tomorrow it is about regrouping for the big game on Sunday. For us, it's just about the small details and our composure but I think on any given day we could have been the 2-1 victors. We are excited for the opportunity on Sunday."
The two teams will have a rematch on Sunday, in Saskatoon, at noon to close out the Canada West schedule. The final game of the regular season is critical for the Cougars as they can still lock up second place in the East Division with a win.
