KAMLOOPS, BC—For the first time in their history, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack met up with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Canada West men’s soccer at home.
The teams played a wild match which could have been appropriate for a Friday the 13th. The Huskies and Pack played to a 2-2 draw on the Warner Rentals Field at Hillside Stadium.
The WolfPack move to 1-1-3 on the year while Saskatchewan is now 1-2-3 on the season.
The first half was one filled with goals scored off set pieces. TRU midfielder Justin Donaldson (5th year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) was called for a hand ball in the sixth minute of the contest in the box. That resulted in a Saskatchewan penalty kick. Kwame Opoku-Addai (3rd year, midfield, Calgary, AB) took the kick which WolfPack keeper Jackson Gardner (2nd year, keeper, Chilliwack, BC) got a piece of it but the ball’s back spin found the back of the net.
Thompson Rivers got the equalizer in the 39th minute. Daniel Sagno (3rd year, midfield, Winnipeg, MB), playing in his first U SPORTS match took a free kick from about 30 yards out. The ball deflected off a leg and wound up in the net. The goal was credited to Donaldson.
Before the first half ended, Saskatchewan regained the lead. Nikolas Baikas (2nd year,forward, Saskatoon, SK) took a corner kick. Jacob Powell (5th year, midfield, Coquitlam, BC) got his head on it through a maze of players to put his club up 2-1.
The Huskies had four shots on goal in the first half compared to two for the WolfPack.
In the 59th minute, James Fraser (4th year, forward, Penticton, BC) was hauled down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. He scored his Canada West leading fifth goal of the season going low left side on Huskies keeper Marcus Baxter (1st year, Saskatoon SK).
Saskatchewan played a man down from the 67 th minute when Mohamed Omar (4th year, midfield, Saskatoon, SK) was ejected for picking up his second yellow card of the match.
The Huskies outshot the WolfPack 14-11 with both teams having three shots on goal.
Saskatchewan will remain out on the road this weekend, taking on the Victoria Vikes on Sunday at 3 p.m.
