Panthers edge Huskies 3-2

(Charlottetown, PEI)  The Panthers' depth at the midfield and forward positions has played a big role in their early season success, as three different players scored in a 3-2 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Ignacio Sanchez (Subway Player of the Game) and Sam Smiley each scored in the opening half, while Mon San Aung delivered the final blow late in the second.

It took Sanchez less than two minutes to get his team on the scoreboard, as he fired across his body from just inside the 18-yard box beating the keeper in the top left corner.

Even after scoring the quick tally, the Panthers continued to get whatever they wanted on offence. In the 21st minute, Sam Smiley centered a cross from Cohen Reddick-Stevens and fired it past keeper Christian Oxner for his fifth goal of the season, extending the lead 2-0.

In his first game back from injury, Mohammad Jaber nearly made it 3-0, but his shot rattled off the crossbar.

The Huskies (0-4-1) came out of the break a stronger team and put a scare in the home team. Dominik Gorski volleyed a free kick from teammate Avery Senz to beat Brett Strba in the 59th minute, cutting the deficit 2-1.

After Aung restored UPEI's two-goal lead on a nice individual effort, the pesky Huskies stuck around until the final whistle and made things uncomfortable for the Panther faithful.

Darien Rolle scored in the 86th minute and with nothing to lose, Saint Mary's continued to move men upfront trying to get that tying goal, but the Panthers held strong to preserve the 3-2 win.

The Panthers are right back at it Sept. 24 when they take on the UNB Varsity Reds at 3:15 p.m. in Fredericton and the Huskies travel to Sackville to take on the Mounties.

By Thomas Becker, PEI Communications