Katie Turner (#12) battles for the ball as the sky darkens from an oncoming storm in a match against the Centennial Colts on Friday, Sept. 5. Turner scored the winning goal before the game was called due to lightning.
Photo: Brittany Barber/The Dialog

Friday Sept. 5 should have kicked off the soccer season for George Brown College women’s and men’s teams.

As the Huskies approached Esther Shiner Stadium to begin the women’s soccer game, storms from the north began to roll in. The wind picked up, cooling off the air from a heat advisory warning and transforming it into a severe thunderstorm warning.

With eager souls, the women’s soccer team flooded the field, ready to show the Centennial Colts what they have worked so hard for in the recent weeks of tryouts.

Huskies co-captain, Elaine MacPherson scored the first goal against the Colts in the first 10 minutes of the game.

MacPherson suffered an injury to her right ankle in the second half and was carried off the field where she waited for an ambulance. Later that night it was confirmed that her ankle had broken in two places, ending her season almost as quickly as it began.

As for the Colts, a strong offence resulted in a goal which ended the first half 1-1.

The gathering storm held off until towards the end of the second half where large ominous clouds brought lightning that made the refs uneasy.

The Huskies fought hard, making every last move count, knowing the game was going to be called soon due to extreme weather.

Defensive midfielder Katie Turner prevailed in the last 10 minutes of the game by scoring the winning goal against the Colts.

Officials called the game with 7 minutes remaining when lightning became threatening to the players.

Due to weather conditions, the Huskies’ men’s season opener has been postponed.