Lethbridge – The Lethbridge Pronghorns earned their first points of the 2011 season with a hard fought 1-1 tie with the visiting Fraser Valley Cascades.

 

Coming off the team’s fifth consecutive loss, the Horns took their first lead of the season but were not able to hold on in the second half to earn the victory.

 

Goaltending was the story of the game with both keepers finishing the day with 10 saves apiece. Horns keeper Taura Willoughby, who red-shirted last season after transferring back from South Dakota, was exceptional for the Horns, especially early. She made four exceptional stops to keep the Cascades offence at bay.

 

Jaclyn Groten scored the only goal in the opening half, finding herself on the end of a nice three-way passing play, turning and placing the shot low to the left corner.

 

Willoughby’s best save of the opening half came in the dying minutes after Ellen Kuyer found herself all alone just outside the six-yard box but Willoughby was equal to the task, diving to her right to deflect the ball away.

 

Kuyer would have her revenge in the 65th minute. Sub Shelby Beck sprung Kuyer, who was able to slide the ball just past the outstretched arms of Willoughby.

 

Shannon Clark had the best opportunity to put the Horns back ahead but Chantelle Biagioni made her best save of the day. After being caught off her line and back peddling Biagioni dove to her right and just got a piece of  Clark’s shot. A Cascade defender made it back to clear the rebound out of harms way.

 

The Cascades last chance came off a free kick from 30 yards but the attempt sailed over the bar.

 

The Horns did have three consecutive corner kicks late in the game, but never truly threatened off the set pieces.

 

The Horns will head out on the road next weekend, traveling to British Columbia to face theses same Cascades before closing out the trip with a game versus the Victoria Vikes. Cascades will also host the Calgary Dinos next weekend.