Lethbridge – Looking to a make a return to the post-season, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's soccer team kicks-off the 2017 Canada West schedule this weekend on the road, facing the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary Saturday and the Alberta Pandas in Edmonton on Sunday.
The 'Horns and Cougars will hit the pitch at Mount Royal at 11:00am on Saturday and conclude the road trip Sunday with kick-off slated for 2:00pm. Sunday's game will be webcast on
www.canadawest.tv
"We are excited to get going with our season," said head coach Fred Trinh. "We have a great mixture of new and veteran players and I am excited for our players because we have had a great preseason."
The Pronghorns, who missed the playoffs last season with a 3-9-2 record, return 16 players from last year's roster, including leading scorer Nikki Furukawa. Furukawa accounted for half of the Pronghorn output last season, scoring six times on the season.
Micaela Stone returns to the Pronghorn net this season after missing all of last season due to injury, while veterans Aislinn Williston, Jesse Dueck, Erica Augsten and Kayla Blacquiere will be counted on to lead the squad this season.
A season ago, the Pronghorns lost and tied games with the Mount Royal Cougars, but did not face the Pandas, as Alberta spent last season in the Pacific Division to even out the two Canada West Divisions. This season the MacEwan Griffins take their turn in the Pacific Division.
Despite finishing the season tied for the fewest goals scored in the Prairie Division, the Mount Royal Cougars secured a playoff spot with a 4-6-4 record last season. The Cougars return their top two scorers from last season. Carly Neis lead the team last year with three goals, while Emily Sands was credited with two goals.
For the Pandas, they too qualified for the post-season with a 8-4-2 record and third place in the Pacific Division, but were upset at home by the eventual Canada West Champion UBC Thunderbirds, 3-2.
The Pandas also return the bulk of their offense from last season, returning the team's top three scorers, including Canada West second team all-star Sydney Daines. Daines led the Pandas with seven goals and five assists. Aly Parth (5 goals) and Karissa McNutt (4 goals) are also back from another season.
"We always have close battles with MRU and we looking forward to continue that trend," continued Trinh. "U of A is always well coached by Liz Jepsen and they are a top team in Canada West; We want to measure ourselves to other big programs."
The Pronghorns will return home next weekend for their home opener, hosting the Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western Spartans, Saturday and Sunday.
