LETHBRIDGE – Launching the 2021 Canada West season Saturday night, the Lethbridge Pronghorns host the Alberta Pandas in the first of two games this season.
 
Saturday's game also marks the first of a two game series with the Pandas for the Suggitt Cup, in memory of former coach Ric Suggitt, who passed away in the summer of 2017.
 
Kick-off is slated for 7:00 pm at the University Community Stadium and will be the night cap of the Pronghorn triple header, following the women's and men's soccer games played earlier in the day. The game will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.
 
Admission for all three games is free of charge. Proof of vaccination or a negative rapid tests is required to attend Pronghorn games. Physical distancing outside of households will be required throughout the stadium.
 
In the history of the Suggitt Cup, the Pronghorns hold a two-to-one edge, claiming the inaugural trophy in the fall of 2017 with a 32-17 win and winning the 2019 trophy on a 61-12 two game aggregate. The Pandas took home the Suggitt Cup in 2018, edging the Pronghorns 49-48 in the two game point total.
 
A look at the teams
 
Returning after a season away, the Pronghorns (0-0-0) begin a new era this season under first-year head coach Graeme Moffat. Moffat joined the program as an assistant coach last year and was named the fourth head coach in the programs history on June 9^th.
 
Coming off a fourth place finish in Canada West during the 2019 season, the Pronghorns enter the new season with a mix of experience and youth.
 
Abby Duguid took last year away from school and further enhanced her development, playing in the English Premier division with the Loughborough Lightning. She is also on the Canadian National team radar for the World Cup, having just participated in the Canada Top 50 camp. Her physical presence will be noticeable for the Pronghorns this fall.
 
Senior's Caitlin Sears, and Abby Neudorf will be counted on to lead with Duguid this year.
 
The Pandas, who went winless during the 2019 season will be in a transition year again this season with the departure of a handful key contributors and were ranked fifth in the Canada West preseason coaches poll. 
 
Third-year back row Bella Adatia will be looked at to replace some of the scoring punch left with the graduation of Canada West All-Star Courtney Holtkamp.
 
Up Next
 
The Pronghorns will head out on the road to face the Calgary Dinos next Friday.