Freeman goes off for three goals in Huskies 3-2 win over UPEI

By Thomas Becker / UPEI Athletics - Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Saint Mary's Huskies forward Sean Freeman (Halifax, NS) was a force to be reckoned Saturday afternoon, as the sophomore winger recorded a hat trick in a 3-2 win over the UPEI Panthers.

For Freeman, it was the first time in his young AUS career that he scored more than two goals in a contest.

"It feels pretty good," he said. "I have to thank my teammates. We had a good game and they provided a lot of chances. It's a good victory overall for all of us."

The Huskies wasted little time and put pressure on the Panthers' defence immediately. They were rewarded three minutes in when Woody Bain (Dartmouth, NS) crossed it over to Freeman who was stopped by goalkeeper Evan Couturier (Lower Coverdale, NB) before putting away his own rebound. 

"It was very important to get that first goal. Home opener for them, they had lots of fans and it was a good atmosphere," Freeman said. "We also had the wind on our side in the first half, so we wanted to take advantage of that."

Saint Mary's would strike again in the 40th minute when a series of short passes inside the box found Freeman, who fired a low shot past Couturier to make 2-0 at the break.

MSOC: Sean Freeman continues his excellent offensive play with two first half goals, and the Huskies lead 2-0 at the half vs. @UPEIPanthers

Catch the second half live: https://t.co/pUfQqdPgUj pic.twitter.com/VfPQT0ea4z

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 17, 2022

Freeman's third goal of the afternoon was the easiest, as the Huskies were awarded a penalty shot on a Colin Curran (Montague, PE) foul inside the 18-yard box six minutes into the second half. 

MSOC: Sean Freeman cannot be stopped! Earns the Penalty and makes no mistake for his third goal of the match and @AUS_SUA leading fourth of the season.

Huskies lead 3-0 in the 57th minute. pic.twitter.com/bW26pVINCh

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 17, 2022

With time at a premium, the Panthers needed to score fast and often. Kasper Lasia (Ottawa, ON) got it started with a penalty shot in the 69th minute to cut the deficit to 3-1.

In the 85th minute, Lasia sent a corner kick to an unmarked Jonathan MacKenzie (Charlottetown, PE), who volleyed it past keeper Jensen Brown (Enfield, NS) to make it a 3-2 game.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, that's as close they would get, as the Huskies held on for the win.

The Panthers face another tough test Sunday afternoon when they welcome the St. FX X-Men. The Huskies, meanwhile, travel to Sackville, N.B. to take on the Mount Allison Mounties at 3:15 p.m.