Zinn’s winner gives Huskies 2-1 win over Aigles Bleus

HALIFAX, NS – The Saint Mary's Huskies bounced back into the win column with a 2-1 win over l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus on Saturday evening in Halifax.

It was the second meeting between the two teams in the last six days, and the Huskies were looking for some revenge after being defeated 2-0 by the Aigles Bleus last Sunday in Moncton.

After being held off the scoresheet for just the second time this season in last week's loss, Huskies striker Sean Freeman (Halifax, NS) didn't take long to make his mark on Saturday's rematch, as in the 8^th minute, Freeman headed a cross from midfielder Cian Tousignant-Osiadhail (Timberlea, NS) into the back of the net for his AUS leading seventh goal of the season.

In the 13^th minute, Moncton midfielder Wylliam Sydavong Ok (Carignan, QC) had an impressive turn and strike at goal, but it sailed just high of the crossbar.

Moments later Sydavong Ok received a pass at the edge of the box and was tackled by Huskies defender Kaveh Wornell (Dartmouth, NS). The referee awarded a penalty to the Aigles Bleus, and midfielder Lionel Feval (Riviere Salee, Martinique) calmly stepped to the spot and fired a shot in the top corner to tie the match at 1-1 in the 16^th minute.

With the game tied, the physicality ramped up as the two teams battled for a go-ahead goal. A total of five yellow cards were awarded in the match, three to the Aigles Bleus (Toure, Kisse and Feval) and two to the Huskies (Freeman and Tousignant-Osiadhail).

In the 38^th minute, the Huskies found a go-ahead goal as Tousignant-Osiadhail's corner kick was headed into goal by defender Cameron Zinn (Bridgewater, NS) to give the home team a 2-1 lead.

MSOC: Cameron Zinn scores off a corner kick to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead.

Watch live: https://t.co/DU6KcDvzeR pic.twitter.com/U7zgJkCtli

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 8, 2022

The Huskies had a couple more chances in the final moments of the first half, as Tousignant-Osiadhail and Freeman each had scoring opportunities from tough angles but weren't able to find the back of the net, and the teams went into the half with Saint Mary's leading 2-1.

In the second half, offensive opportunities were few and far between for the visitors from Moncton, as the Huskies defence locked down, with a clear emphasis on limiting Aigles Bleus striker Mohamed Lamine Toure (Moncton, NB), who scored two goals in last week's game and was named AUS Athlete of the Week.

Moncton was able to muster just two shots on goal in the match, while the Huskies recorded four.

Huskies defender Cameron Zinn was named Subway AUS Player of the Game with the game-winning goal and some great defensive play.

MSOC: @SUBWAYCanada Player of the Game goes to #4 Cameron Zinn. pic.twitter.com/tkbHXloEXW

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 9, 2022

Moncton's loss dropped their record to 1-2-3 on the season. L'Aigles Bleus will head to Charlottetown, P.E.I. take on the UPEI Panthers next Friday, Oct. 14, with kick-off scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

The win improved the Huskies to 5-2 on the campaign. The Huskies next game will be visiting their crosstown rivals the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday, Oct. 14 (kick-off at 7:15 p.m.), before returning to home field for homecoming weekend, as they host the Acadia Axemen on Sunday, Oct. 16 (kick-off at 3:15 p.m.). GET TICKETS.

Recap by Allan April / SMU Huskies Athletics
Photos courtesy Mona Ghiz / SMU Huskies Athletics