Box Score
Lethbridge – On a blustery day at the University Community Stadium in Lethbridge and with major playoff implications on the line the Lethbridge Pronghorns and MacEwan Griffins battled to a scoreless draw.
Heading into their final home game of the regular season, the 'Horns are in the midst of a dogfight for the final playoff positions. As Canada West games kicked off across the conference today, the 'Horns were holding down the final spot in the Prairie Division with 10 points but both Mount Royal and Winnipeg are nipping at their heels with nine points. With the draw and the Winnipeg Wesmen beating the Regina Cougars earlier today, the 'Horns are now one point out of the final playoff spot.
MacEwan entered today's match tied for second with the Saskatchewan Huskies for second place with 20 points.
With the wind gusting heavily, a premium was placed on ball control and precision passing and MacEwan earned some early pressure but struggled breaking though the 'Horns defense. When they did have shot attempts they could not find the mark.
Kristen Smart had the best chance for the Griffins, she received a nice pass from a free kick and turned and fired but her shot found the crossbar. A scramble ensued in the Pronghorn penalty area but the Pronghorns were able to clear.
In the second portion of the opening half, the 'Horns were able to able some pressure and had some good looks at goal. Pronghorn leading scorer Nikki Furukawa had her free kick from 35 yards out just sail over the net. Nanami Wakayama also had a dangerous looking chance but just slid the ball wide.
The half ended scoreless with the 'Horns attempting seven shots, forcing MacEwan keeper Emily Burns to make three saves. The Griffins had four shots attempts but none found the mark. The Griffins, did however, have the only two corner kicks in the half.
Early in the second half, Griffins sub Meghan Oram had a good opportunity deep in the 'Horns penalty area but Rachel Lee was able to get a hand on the ball.
Furukawa nearly but the 'Horns on the board with what would have been a wild goal. Just when it looked like she was sprung free she stumbled giving the MacEwan's defender a chance to recover but the clearing attempt ricocheted off Furukawa and just missed the net.
MacEwan continued to push the pace, using a strong counter attack to hem the 'Horns on their own side of the field but failed to generate and truly dangerous opportunities.
With four minutes remaining, Suekiean Choucair's long range free kick looked threatening but slid by the post untouched.
In stoppage time, Furukawa nearly gave the 'Horns the victory but her long range shot was deflected off the crossbar and into touch by Burns.
At the final whistle, stats were nearly even, MacEwan had 13 shot attempts to the 'Horns 12, while the 'Horns had five shots on goal to the Griffins three.
The 'Horns will head out on the road looking to solidify a playoff spot but will face the always tough Trinity Western Spartans and Fraser Valley Cascades. The Griffins will close out the regular season at home hosting UNBC and University of Alberta.
