LETHBRIDGE – Opening the Canada West season versus southern Alberta rivals, the Lethbridge Pronghorns pushed the coaches' poll second ranked Mount Royal Cougars but dropped a close 1-0 decision at the University Community Stadium.
 
The loss drops the Pronghorns record to 0-1-0, while the Cougars start with a clean sheet and a 1-0-0 record.
 
David Schaefer scored the long goal for the visitors, while 'Horns keeper Nolan French finished with afternoon with seven saves. His counterpart Sterling Kerr made six saves to earn the shutout.
 
A spirited opening half as both teams were playing their first conference game of the season and saw three yellow cards and plenty of physical play in the opening 45 minutes.
 
The teams traded chances early with Pronghorn Alasdair Coyle had a clear shot a goal after a collision with Mount Royal's keeper Sterling Kerr but Daniel Harrison was able to clear the ball off the line.
 
Minute later, Pronghorn keeper Nolan French, who is returning after missing two full years of play, was forced to make a strong save. French dove to his right to stop Dane Domic.
 
Following on failed free kick, Mount Royal opened the scoring off a second set piece in the 33^rd minute. David Schaefer picked the left side of the net from just outside the penalty area.
 
Cooler heads prevailed in the second half and high quality chances stalled for the much of the first 15 minutes as both teams upped their defensive play.
 
In the 64^th minute the Pronghorns had a good look on a goalmouth scrambled but both Karim Bey and Damon Field's shots did not get past Cougar defenders.
 
The stalemate continued late into the game with neither team truly threatening to score until Hafiz Mahjor had a great look inside the Pronghorns penalty area to double the lead. Mohamed El Gandour slid a great pass to spring Mahjor, however French made a great sliding stop to keep the Pronghorns within one.
 
Pushing late, the Pronghorns had a corner kick in injury time and the Pronghorns go a head on it but fell wide of the net.
 
At the final whistle, stats were nearly dead even for the match. The Cougar held a slim 8-to-6 advantage on shots on goal and 17-to-13 in shot attempts.
 
The Pronghorns will head out on the road next weekend to face the Saskatchewan Huskies for a pair of games in Saskatoon. Mount Royal will remain in Calgary but head across the city to face crosstown rival Calgary Dinos.