Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – Second-year striker Taneil Gay scored a pair of early goals en route to Saskatchewan's dominating 5-0 win over the UBC Okanagan Heat Sunday afternoon at Field 7 PotashCorp Park.
With the win, the Huskies go 2-0 on the weekend and see their record improve to 3-1. On the other side, UBCO remains winless on the year at 0-3-1.
Just five minutes into the match, Gay caused a Heat turnover in their own box and quickly capitalized, tucking the ball just inside the far post.
Not long after that, Gay and teammate Leesa Eggum worked give-and-go action up the field before Gay buried her second of the day and third overall on the season.
The Huskies didn't stop there. Fifth year Rebecca Weckworth took a free kick that left Heat goalkeeper Francesca Balletta with no chance. Weckworth's tally is good for her eighth as a Huskie.
Three goals in the first 25 minutes gave the Huskies comfortable lead heading into the half-time break.
Coming out of the break, rookie sensation Megan Ripplinger checked into the game. Ripplinger's impact was felt immediately, as the U SPORTS Female Athlete of the Week scored her fourth goal in as many career games as a Huskie.
The Huskies would go on to add another goal for good measure in the 77th minute. Maya Gabruch displayed great hustle to the ball as she forced a misplay by the Heat goalkeeper. Balletta's clearing attempt ricocheted off Gabruch and into the back of the net before Heat defenders could come and bail their keeper out.
With the shutout, Huskie goalkeeper Jadyn Steinhauer delivers back-to-back clean sheets for this weekend's matches. Steinhauer made 5 saves on 6 UBCO shot attempts, while her counterpart Balletta made five saves on 15 Huskie attempts.
The Huskies will stay at home next week for weekend matchups vs Lethbridge and Calgary, both kickoffs at 12:00 P.M at Potash Corp Park. The Heat will return home for to play the University of Victoria Vikes on Saturday.