VANCOUVER – Facing the 2017 Canada West bronze medalists, the Lethbridge Pronghorns held the UBC Thunderbirds scoreless through 45 minutes but could not hold off the T-Birds attack in the second half, falling 4-0 in Vancouver in the first of two games in British Columbia.
 
The loss drops the Pronghorns to 0-3-0 early into the Canada West season. The Thunderbirds improve to 3-1 with the win.
 
"We had a very strong first half and played incredibly disciplined football. It was nice to see the hard work the players had put in in training translate to the field," said Co-Head Coach Ilsa Wong. "Unfortunately, the second half opened with an early own goal and we were unable to shift the game back in our favour."
 
"Ultimately, UBC controlled play during the second half and we able to get to our back line."
 
"We now use our solid play in the first half as a base for tomorrow's game at UVIC and it will be another tough battle."
 
After a disjointed first 15 minutes for each squad, both UBC and Lethbridge sharpened up and traded chances with the first notable one coming off the foot of the T-Birds leading scorer Danielle Steer. A ball was played over the top of the Pronghorns backline to Steer, but her shot was saved by visiting keeper Chelsea Galbraith in the 17^th minute.
 
With UBC's constant pressure forcing Lethbridge to defend the visitors found few chances on the counter attack. Their best opportunity of the opening half came from fifth-year midfielder Erica Augsten from 25-yards out, but Thunderbirds' keeper Sarah Johns playing in her first Canada West game, made a comfortable save to keep the game scoreless.
 
In the 41^st minute, the 'Birds best chance was again courtesy of Steer, who received a ball played over the top from first-year defender Sophie Damian but her header went agonizingly wide of the Lethbridge goal. The first half would end in a scoreless stalemate but several markers we're yet to come after the break.
 
After a frustrating first 45, UBC came out after the break with the lion's share of possession and a different approach that would soon pay off. First-year UBC forward Michelle Jang got on the end of a good ball and her shot across goal took a lucky bounce and found its way in for the opening goal in the 48^th minute. 
 
In the 59^th minute, the Thunderbirds would double their lead through Emma Cunningham, who placed a seeing eye shot far side past Galbraith in the Pronghorns goal. Shortly after in the 61^st, UBC could not be stopped with infectious scoring. Steer would finally be rewarded in scoring her first of the evening with a well-placed strike and a comfortable 3-0 advantage for the hosts.
 
Lethbridge would not go away though, as a couple long range strikes made their way to Johns who had to make a great diving save on Hailey Waterhouse to keep her teams' clean sheet alive in the 63^rd. UBC would finish off the perfect evening with a second marker from Steer in the 76^th minute after Emma Cunnigham's initial shot ranged off the crossbar.
 
The Pronghorns head across the water to face the University of Victoria Vikes tomorrow night at 5 p.m.