Box Score
Lethbridge – On the strength of a goal in each half, the Lethbridge Pronghorns gave first-year bench boss Fred Trinh the perfect present for his debut with a 2-0 win over the MacEwan Griffins.
 
Nikki Furukawa and Alexandra Reinbolt scored for the 'Horns, while Micaela Stone made 10 saves to earn the shutout. Griffins' keeper Rebecca Reif made six saves in the loss.
 
Scoring chances were few and far between for both teams in the early going, due to solid defending and misplaced passes.
 
'Horns newcomer Nikki Furukawa looked dangerous on a set piece from 25-yards out, but her strike curled just over the bar.
 
For the Griffins, Charlotte Rath's shot from in tight was thwarted by a sliding Kim Shellenberg, however the Griffins failed to capitalize on back-to-back corner kicks after the block.
 
Despite controlling the ball possession for good chunks of the opening 30 minutes, the Griffins settled for long range shots, forcing 'Horns keeper Micaela Stone to make five saves but none of them were truly threatening.
 
In the 35^th minute, Furukawa pressured a Griffin defender off the ball and broke away, picking the far top corner on Reif to put the 'Horns up 1-0.
 
The 'Horns lead held into half time, despite the advantage in ball possession and shots by the Griffins. MacEwan had 10 shot attempts in the half to the 'Horns five.
 
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the 'Horns doubled the lead to 2-0. Alycia Amatto's cross into the box found a streaking Alexandra Reinbolt. The freshman took one touch and picked the lower left corner.
 
Still with plenty of time remaining, the Griffins immediately got back on their ball possession game, but the 'Horns defense was able to weather the early storm and keep the Griffins at bay.
 
The Griffins had a glorious chance to cut the 'Horns lead in half in the 68^th minute with a free kick from outside the box, but Jennifer Lam's strike just slid past the far post.
 
As much as the Griffins pushed forward during the remainder of the half they were unable to break through the 'Horns stingy defense.
 
The Griffins finished the day with 20 shot attempts to the 'Horns 11.
 
The 'Horns remain at home tomorrow, hosting the Mount Royal Cougars, while the Griffins head to Calgary to take on the Calgary Dinos.