Panthers over Huskies 3-1

After scoring just three goals in the previous four games, the Panthers' offence broke through Saturday afternoon in a 3-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Forwards Sarah MacVarish and Tyffanie Bordage put pressure on the Huskies' (0-5) backline throughout the game and were all over the scoreboard. MacVarish led the way with two goals, while Bordage supported her with a goal of her own and two assists.

MacVarish, who earned her first start of the season, opened the scoring in the 6th minute on a nice through pass from Bordage for the early 1-0 advantage.

The offence continued generating opportunities in the first half. In the 13th minute, midfielder Kristin Hood got free from her defender and fired a deep shot, but Ashley Blank made a diving save to keep her team alive.

However, the keeper wasn't as fortunate minutes later. On a corner set piece, the ball skipped to Bordage, who put the ball in the back of the net, extending the lead 2-0.

Not willing to give in, Huskies' Celina Cavadini cut the deficit in half on a 24th minute goal.

Kiki Ladd-Izzard had the best chance in the opening minutes of the second half, but missed tying the game by inches, hitting the left goalpost.

That missed opportunity opened the door for the Panthers (2-2-1) to take control of the game and they did just that. Two minutes later, Bordage battled her defender on a free ball and passed it through to MacVarish, who scored her fourth goal of the season, sealing the 3-1 final.

With the two-goal performance, MacVarish earned herself Subway Player of the Game honours.

The Panthers have a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on the UNB Varsity Reds in Fredericton on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.  The Huskies travel to Sackville to take on MTA Sunday at 1 p.m.

By Thomas Becker, PEI Communications