SASKATOON – Mid-term season is a stressful time for any student, but those who play for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s soccer team have found that winning is a pretty good way to deal with that stress. The Huskies are 9-3 and riding a four-game winning streak heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
“We have a really solid bond with the girls, so we kind of hold each other accountable for studying and whatever else off the field, and then on the field we just try to have as much fun as possible,” said midfielder Erica Hindmarsh.
2014 was a banner year for the program, with their bronze medal in Canada West the first of any colour for the team. This year, they’re hungry for more.
The Huskies began the season determined to prove that they belong in the conversation with the conference’s elite teams, and they’ve done just that, putting themselves in position to clinch first place in their division with a win this weekend. If they get that victory in Saturday’s contest against last-place Winnipeg, it will also allow the team to rest many of its starters in Sunday’s finale.
“It will be an opportunity for some of the players that haven’t maybe seen the pitch as much to get in and contribute to our team,” head coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton said.
“Everyone is trying to train at their best and we need that to be at the next level.”
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A deep roster has been one of the Huskies biggest assets this season. Their East Division-leading 28 goals have come from nine different players, eight of whom have scored at least twice. That balanced production will be key if the Dogs hope to improve on last season’s success.
“We really want to make it to nationals and show everyone what the U of S is all about,” said fifth-year defender Erica Parenteau.
It’s another test, but one the Huskies have been studying for all season.
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