LETHBRIDGE – Vying for important standing points as both teams are battling for the final playoff position in the Prairie Division, the Lethbridge Pronghorns scored once in each half to earn a vital 2-1 win over the Mount Royal Cougars.
Heading into the final home game of the Canada West season for the Pronghorns, they held a slim one-point lead over the Cougars and with the win improve to 1-5-6. The Cougars who now fall four points back of the Pronghorns and see their record fall to 1-7-2.
Colette Mofakham and Jesse Dueck each scored off set pieces to lead the Pronghorns to the win, while Sharnae Sedres scored the Cougars lone goal.
Mount Royal had some early territorial advantage and were reward with a trio of early corner kicks but were unable to capitalize on the early opportunities.
For the Pronghorns, a first dangerous chance presented itself in the sixth minute from a free kick from just outside of the Cougars penalty area. Playing in her final home game as a Pronghorn, Jesse Dueck launched a shot towards goal beating Cougar netminder Miah Godek, however the shot clanged off the crossbar.
Off a free kick of their own, Cougar Hannah Park played a ball into the Pronghorns box and created a goal mouth scramble and Kaitlin Brown had a good look, just sliding a shot wide of the left post.
Dueck, who was all over the pitch in the first half had another great chance to open the scoring, getting a head on a Pronghorn corner kick but the header sailed just over the crossbar
Another free kick in the Cougar end would pay dividends for the Pronghorns. Colette Mofakham's ball towards the Cougar net bounced off a body in front and just out of reach of Godek for her team leading third goal of the season.
In the half, both teams registered five shots on goal, while the Cougars attempted seven corners to the Pronghorns one.
Mount Royal pushed forward to open the second half and were rewarded with their eighth and ninth corners of the game, however, were not able to cash in on the opportunities.
Only seven minutes into the second half, the Cougars did find the equalizer they were looking for. Pronghorn keeper Hanna Quinn made an exceptional save on Janai Martens' original shot but Sharna Sedres pounced on the rebound to level the game at one.
With just over 11 minutes to play, the Pronghorns were able to convert on another set piece. Dueck's curler from 25-yards out eluded keeper Godek for her third of the season and more importantly a Pronghorn lead.
Down the stretch the Pronghorns were able to fend off any Mount Royal offensive surges and hold on for their first win of the season.
With their sights set on securing a playoff berth, the Pronghorns will head out on the road next weekend, traveling to Winnipeg to face the Winnipeg Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons. The Cougars face three games in the coming week, hosting the MacEwan Griffins on Tuesday to make up a postponed game and then also travel to Winnipeg to face the Bisons and Wesmen.
