Box Score Lethbridge – Coming off a disappointing opening weekend on the road, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s soccer team rallied with a hard fought 1-0 win over arch rival Calgary Dinos, in the front half of a home-and-home series.
Fourth-year midfielder Morgan Brownjohn scored the lone goal in the 60th minute off a penalty kick to lift the ‘Horns to their first win of the Canada West season.
With the win, the ‘Horns improve to 1-2-0 on the season, while the Dinos fall to 0-2-1. The ‘Horns and Dinos will renew acquaintances tomorrow afternoon in Calgary at Varsity Pitch.
When these two team’s get together it's always an intense and physical contest and today was no exception with four cautions being handed out and the two teams combining for 22 fouls.
After a scoreless opening half, fellow fourth-year midfielder Matt Medoruma broke in alone and after he chipped the ball by Dino keeper Jordan Unreiner, Unreiner took Medoruma down in the box setting up Brownjohn’s heroics. Brownjohn picked the top half of the right side of the net just out of the reach of Unreiner.
While shot attempts and play was even throughout the game, the Dinos were far more accurate in their attempts, forcing ‘Horns keeper Tyler Boast into making 10 saves to earn his first shutout. The Dinos attempted 17 shots to the ‘Horns 16, but the ‘Horns held a distinct advantage on corner kicks, eight to three.
In each half Boast was tested with close-in chances, coming off his line twice in the opening half to make quality diving saves and another in the second.
The Dinos did come dangerously close to tying the score with just over 20 minutes remaining. After a long ball was played into the ‘Horns box, Boast charged off the line to challenge to only have the ball headed over his head, but defender Brett Silbernagel cleared the ball just short of the net and crashed into the post.
Unreiner finished his game with four saves and the Horns missed the target 11 other times. Unreiner made his best save in the opening half off a corner kick scramble, smothering a Shlomo Swan-Azmon shot.
Kick-off for the second half of the home-and-home series is set for 2:00pm in Calgary.
