Beginning a new era under head coach Doug Paisley, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's hockey team got off to a great start in 2019-20 going undefeated in six non-conference games and earning wins in six of their first eight conference games.
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Sitting at the top of Canada West for the first five weeks and were also ranked nationally for two weeks; however, the second half of the season wasn't as kind to the Pronghorns. Falling in the Canada West standings, the young group including eight first-years battled right to the final weekend of the season with playoff hopes going down to the final day of the season.
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Graduating goaltender Alicia Anderson leaves the program with her name littered through out the Canada West record book. She leaves the program holding Canada West records in games played by a goaltender (121), most minutes played (7242.33), most saves (3824) and sits fourth in career save percentage (0.9313).
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Other individual highlights included Tricia Van Varenbergh and Mattie Apperson both moving in the top 15 in career games played in Canada West with 139 and 136 respectively. Kyra Grieg also finished in the top 10 in Canada West scoring.
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Season Award Winners
Rookie of the Year – As a true freshman Sage Sansregret suited up in all 28 games for the Pronghorns and quickly established herself as a player that could be counted on in a variety of roles. A strong skater, Sansregret was able to be effective on the penalty kill and in a checking role while still registering four goals and two assists and was only whistled for two minor penalties in her first season.
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Heart Award – Returning from major hip surgery last offseason, fifth-year captain Mattie Apperson was able to cap her career skating in all 28 games and lead from the blueline for the Pronghorns. Often matched up versus the opponent's top players, Apperson battled through her hip injury to lead the Pronghorns and capped her career missing only four games over her career.
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MVP – In her third season with the Pronghorns, Kyra Greig set a new career highs in goals, assists and points to lead the Pronghorns in scoring and sit tied for 10
th in Canada West scoring with seven goals, 11 assists and 18 points. Her full 200-foot team game is illustrated by the fact she doesn't sacrifice the defensive side of the game for her offence, finishing as one of only four Pronghorns to finish in the plus for the season.
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