Men's Soccer Huskies split pair of preseason matches at home

The Keyano Huskies Men’s Soccer team split their opening preseason games in Fort McMurray this past weekend.

Friday, the Huskies dropped a 4-1 result at the hands of the Université de Saint-Boniface Les Rouges. Sunday, the Huskies rebounded with a 5-0 win against the Olds College Broncos.

"Yeah, [it was] much better, but I think still a long ways away,” noted Head Coach Niels Slotboom. “Both teams that we played from our perspective were quite different. We’re still looking to tie those two teams together and ensure everybody’s on the same page.

“It was definitely more positive than Friday.”

Shakir Mitha had the lone goal in Friday’s loss.

Sunday, the Huskies flipped the script with a goal from Mitha in the opening minute and didn’t look back. Goals from Abel Mhtsun and McMurrayite Bahaa Safadi featured to swell the lead to three.

A slick assist from fellow McMurrayite Omar Khaleel set up Mitha’s second goal of the game and third of the weekend. Faisal Karoyo closed out the game with his first preseason goal on a penalty kick.

“The local guys, it’s fun,” Slotboom added. “They’re here making an impact. Bahaa scored, Omar set up a really nice goal so that’s what we’re trying to do and that’s what we’d love to showcase that local talent is good enough to play at our level.”

The duo of Jaiden McLaren and Gabriel Fitzgerald combined for the clean sheet.

The Huskies are on the road next weekend in Calgary for more preseason action.

They’ll open the 2025-26 ACAC Regular Season on Saturday, September 6 at SMS Equipment Place, hosting the Portage College Voyageurs with kick-off at 4:15pm.