Huskies and Tigers play to 1-1 draw in Halifax derby

Huskies defender Adam Dunsworth (Halifax, NS), scored a first half goal as Saint Mary's tied their crosstown rivals the Dalhousie Tigers 1-1 on Friday night at Wickwire Field in Halifax.

The first half was filled with attacking play for both the Tigers and the Huskies. Saint Mary's fourth year keeper Jensen Brown (Enfield, NS) shut down challenges from the Dalhousie forwards.

In the 15th minute, Brown dismantled Tigers captain Luke Berryman's (Halifax, NS) run with a diving header, clearing the threat. Brown's acrobatics continued when Tigers defender Andrew Chen (Vancouver, BC) shot a belter into the top right corner, only for it to be stopped by the jumping Huskies goalie.

While the Tigers were challenging the Huskies defense, led by striker Berryman and second year midfielder Riley Workman (Halifax, NS), the Saint Mary's forwards were also providing solid chances up front.

At the other end, Huskies defender Adam Dunsworth (Halifax, NS) released a screamer that was effortlessly stopped by Tigers keeper Aiden Rushenas (Toronto, ON).

In extra time, Dunsworth found the net when Huskies midfielder Cian Tousignant-Osiadhail (Timberlea, NS) crossed the ball into the box. Dunsworth was able to connect and headed the ball into the back of the net, just beating Rushenas' dive.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️��

Adam Dunsworth scores off a Cian Tousignant-Osiadhail corner kick to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/T7Rq7pKLRA

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 15, 2022

The second half was played with more physicality. Brown collided with two Tigers players, defender Benjamin Bruce (Dartmouth, NS) and fifth year striker Mohammed Jaber, the latter collision resulted in Jaber's ejection.

A Saint Mary's corner kick in the 58th minute, taken by fifth year midfielder Sumit Malik (Dartmouth, NS), provided a threat to the Tigers. Malik's cross landed at defender Woody Bain's (Dartmouth, NS) feet, who leveled a shot that was blocked by defender Bruce.

In the 60th minute, Tigers striker Gracious Kasheke (Halifax, NS) made an impassioned run then a pass to midfielder Kyle Routledge (Halifax, NS) whose shot sailed above the Huskies' crossbar.

The Tigers were able to equalize with a corner kick in the 84th minute. Striker Berryman's pass was headed by midfielder Jack Ellis (Liverpool, ENG) and then was punched away by Huskies keeper Brown, only for Berryman to receive the ball and find an open Ellis. Ellis put the ball away with a simple finish with the inside of the foot.

Despite best efforts from Saint Mary's, especially a shot from midfielder Tousignant-Osiadhail that shook the crossbar, they were not able to regain the lead.

Ellis' equalizer and defensive abilities won him the Subway Player of the Game.

Jensen Brown recorded five saves in the match, while Tigers goalkeeper Aidan Rushenas was credited with two stops.

Both the Huskies and Tigers return to the pitch on Sunday, with both games scheduled to kick-off at 3:15 p.m.

The Tigers travel to Moncton to take on l'Aigles Bleus, while the Huskies host the Acadia Axemen as part of Huskies Homecoming weekend. GET TICKETS.

Recap by Jake Webb / Dalhousie Tigers Athletics
Photos by Trevor MacMillan /Dalhousie Tigers Athletics