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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Oct 28, 2023

Keyano Huskies Win Thrilling Gold Medal in Penalty Shootout Against NAIT Ooks

Box Score Program
Scoring Summary
1st - 7:00 - Jivan Aulakh (NAIT)
1st - 22:00 - Markus Sperling (NAIT)
2nd - 74:00 - Hafid Arellano (KC)
2nd - 85:00 - Elshafi Ishaq (KC)
Game Leaders
NAIT
G: 2 Players (#06, #14) - 1
A: Choosen Jones - 1
Sh: 5 Players (#02, #06, #09, #13, #14) - 1
Sv: Connor Short - 9
KC
G: 2 Players (#20, #22) - 1
A: 2 Players (#5, #20) - 1
Sh: 2 Players (#7, #20) - 6
Sv: Corbin Cyprien - 2
Team Stats
Full stats

(EDMONTON,AB) In the heart of the evening, the Men's Gold Medal match at the ACAC Championships kicked off with the NAIT Ooks taking on the Keyano Huskies, both teams hungry for the glory of a gold medal.

The game began with a slow pace, but in the seventh minute, NAIT's Jivan Aulakh broke the ice with a rebound goal. The Ooks made their mark early, putting the pressure on Keyano, who were now searching for an equalizer. In the 13th minute, a long-range shot from the Huskies forced a save opportunity that was expertly turned aside. But NAIT wasn't done yet, and in the 22nd minute, Markus Sperling netted a second goal, extending the lead to 2-0. The script was being written, and the Huskies faced a 2-0 deficit just 23 minutes into the gold medal game.

Keyano launched a notable push after the second goal from the Ooks. In the 41st minute, they had a free-kick opportunity from 20 yards out, but NAIT's wall stood firm, knocking the ball out for a corner. Despite the Huskies' persistent efforts, NAIT held on to their 2-0 lead.

The second half commenced with Keyano showing tenacious energy and determination. NAIT defended resolutely, looking for opportunities to break through Keyano's advancing offense. As early as the 60th minute, it became evident that NAIT's game plan had shifted towards a more defensive approach, protecting their 2-0 lead in the gold medal game.

Then, in the 74th minute, Keyano's Hafid Arellano unleashed a spectacular strike from 40 yards out, finding the back of the net just under the bar and over the keeper's hands, narrowing the gap to 2-1 and injecting new life into the Huskies. With the score at 2-1, the Huskies continued their relentless push.

In the 84th minute, the Huskies found the equalizer when Elsgafi Ishaq headed home a cross, making it 2-2. As Keyano was awarded a free-kick right on top of the 18-yard box, they had a chance to seize the victory. However, the shot struck the crossbar, and the final whistle sounded, sending the gold medal game into extra time.

The extra time period was nothing short of intense, with both teams trading chances, but the goalkeepers held firm. As the final whistle blew again, the gold medal would be decided in a dramatic penalty shootout.

In the penalty shootout, it was the Keyano Huskies who emerged victorious, securing the gold medal with a 4-3 shootout win after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time.

Players of the Game:

Keyano Huskies | #17 - Dylan Stewart

NAIT Ooks | #1 - Connor Short