LETHBRIDGE – Hosting the 2019 home opener, the Lethbridge Pronghorns couldn't over come a two-goal deficit, suffering their first loss of the season, 2-1 to the visiting Victoria Vikes in Canada West women's soccer action.
 
Opening the season last weekend on the road with a pair of ties with the Alberta Pandas and MacEwan Griffins, the loss drops the Pronghorns record to 0-1-2 on the season. The Vikes who opened the season as well last weekend with a split sees their record improve to 2-1.
 
 
Trinity Kettyls and Emma Skalik each scored in the opening half to pace Victoria, while Raeleen Vanden Dungen came off the bench early in the first half to score the Pronghorns lone goal.
 
 
After some early pressure the Vikes opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Tess Vandy Vegte's cross was just out of the reach of Pronghorn keeper Hanna Quinn and right on the boot of Trinity Kettyls, who tapped home her second of the season.
 
Three minutes short of half time the Vikes doubled their lead. Emma Skalik beat Quinn to a 50-50 and chipped a shot over Quinn to give the Vikes a 2-0 lead.
 
In stoppage time of the opening half, the Pronghorns finally got on the board. Following a missed played ball by Vikes keeper Puck Louwes, Raeleen Vanden Dungen ran on to the loose ball and slot home her first of the season into an empty net.
 
Through 45 minutes, the Vikes held a slim advantage in shot attempts, registering seven to the Pronghorns six, while the Pronghorn found them mark five times, while the Vikes were credited with four shots on goal.
 
Defensively both teams tightened up their structure, limiting chance for both sides through the first 30 minutes of the second half. Each side was credited with a shot on goal during that time but neither one was truly threatening to add the games scoring totals.
 
 
Pressing to find the equalizer, the Pronghorns had a good look in the 83^rd minute on a corner kick. Off a second ball Jesse Dueck had a header directed toward the Vikes net but right to Victoria keeper Louwes, who made an easy save to preserve the Vikes lead.
 
At the final whistle, the Pronghorns held a nine to five advantage in shots on goal, with the Vikes attempting 13 shots to the Pronghorns 12.
 
The Pronghorns will be back on the University Community Stadium field tomorrow afternoon, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds. The Vikes will travel north to face the Mount Royal Cougars to conclude the Alberta road trip. Both games kick-off at noon, catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by CO-OP.