Huskies strong start continues with 3-1 win over Moncton

The Saint Mary's Huskies continued their strong start to the season, improving their record to 3-1-2 with a 3-1 road win over l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus on Sunday afternoon in Moncton.

Coming off a hard-fought 2-2 tie against the UNB REDS on Saturday, Saint Mary's offence was dangerous from the opening whistle on Sunday.

The Huskies three forward attack of Allie Martin (Halifax, NS), Virginia Boone (Halifax, NS) and Anelise Karakostas (Victoria, BC) was dynamic from the very start, playing several balls into the box that were turned away by Aigles Bleus defenders and goalkeeper Chelsea Burnham (St. John, NB).

Defender Madlyn Blinn (Lower Sackville, NS) also got involved offensively, hitting the goalpost on a shot off of a corner kick in the 10th minute.

In the 17th minute the Huskies offence finally broke through, as midfielder Anna Pancura (Halifax, NS) intercepted an Aigles Bleus pass and delivered a great ball to Martin, who made a nice move around Burnham and finished to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

WSOC: Huskies goal!

Allie Martin takes a pass from Anna Pancura and does the rest, giving @SMU_WSoc a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Watch live: https://t.co/h4tL0qkEZt pic.twitter.com/L31hyDpiii

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 2, 2022

The Aigles Bleus had their best offensive chance of the first half as midfielder Jessie Landry (Shediac Cape, NB) had a partial breakaway, but Huskies goalkeeper Grace Morrison (Halifax, NS) charged out of her net to end the threat. 

The Huskies would double their lead in the 28th minute as Blinn played a well-placed free kick into the box, received by Karakostas, who took one touch and fired a shot into the bottom left corner to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

WSOC: Huskies goal!

Madlyn Blinn's free kick finds Anelise Karakostas open in front of the net, where she scores her team-leading fourth goal of the season to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead in the 28th minute. pic.twitter.com/zF13H81J1m

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 2, 2022

The goal was Karakostas' fourth of the campaign, setting a personal career high and tying her for second place in the AUS scoring race.

Martin and Boone had several more scoring opportunities before halftime whistle, but neither was able to beat Burnham, who recorded four saves in the first half, and Saint Mary's took a 2-0 lead into the locker room. 

In the second half, Huskies midfielder Anna Pancura scored a goal off a perfectly placed free kick to increase the Huskies lead to 3-0 in the 60th minute.

WSOC: Huskies Goal!

Anna Pancura with a free kick snipe to give @SMU_WSoc a 3-0 lead in the 60th minute. pic.twitter.com/dNegMPzqcU

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 2, 2022

Aigles Bleus midfielder Alexane Dupuis (Dieppe, NB) had a good scoring chance in the 81st minute, but Morrison was able to make a great save.

WSOC: A great save by Grace Morrison keeps the clean sheet alive! @SMU_WSoc leads 3-0 in the 82nd minute. pic.twitter.com/aSr4vvWKLl

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 2, 2022

In the final moments of regulation, the Huskies committed a foul in their own box, and forward Zoe Brockbank (Grand-Digue, NB) scored the ensuing penalty kick to cut the lead to 3-1, which would be the final score. 

Anna Pancura, who recorded a goal and an assist on the afternoon, was named Subway Player of the Game for the Huskies.

The win improves the Huskies to 3-1-2 on the campaign. With 11 points, the Huskies have already surpassed the previous three seasons point total, and are on pace for their best record since 2018.

Saint Mary's will return to their home turf next weekend, as they host a rematch with the Aigles Bleus at Huskies Stadium on Sat. Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.

Moncton (0-4), will next play a pair of road games in Halifax, facing the Dalhousie Tigers on Fri, Oct. 7 before visiting the Huskies the following day.

Recap by Allan April / Huskies Athletics
Photos courtesy: Aigles Bleus Athletics