LETHBRIDGE – The defending U SPORTS Champion and current seventh ranked MacEwan Griffins look to be rounding into form and rode three first half goals to a convincing 5-0 win over the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
 
With the loss the Pronghorns continue to search for their first win of the season and fall to 0-5-2. For the Griffins after sitting a 2-2, the Griffins have won three straight games now and improve to 5-2-0 and sit atop the Prairie Division standings.
 
The Griffins received goals from Kiann Bohnert (2), Grace Schimpf, Erin Van Dolder and Maya Morrell.
 
Before the game hit the three-minute mark, the Griffins had a great opportunity to open the scoring with a free kick just outside the penalty area. However, Grace Schimpf sailed the attempt over the bar.
 
The Pronghorns had their own chance from a set piece just outside of the Griffins penalty area only minutes later. Pronghorn leading scorer Hailey Slobodian curled her attempt wide left.
 
In the 22^nd minute, Grace Mwasalla and Anneke Odinga worked a give and go to perfection. Odinga had a good look from 10 yards out but Rebecca McBride was in great spot to deflect the ball from harms way.
 
Continuing the offensive pressure, the Griffins were rewarded in the 25^th minute off a corner kick. Anna McPhee swung the ball in and first-year defender Kiann Bohnert climbed the latter to head home here first of the season.
 
The Griffins doubled the lead in the 37^th minute. Grace Schimpf collected a ball from McPhee at the top of the penalty area and curled a shot just in side the far post, past Pronghorn keeper Bridie Harding. The goal was Schimpf's third of the season.
 
Less than three minutes later, Erin Van Dolder added to the Griffins lead, picking up her fourth goal of the season.
 
MacEwan started the second half with more offensive pressure. Second-year forward Grace Mwasalla had the first dangerous chance. Pronghorn keeper Bridie Harding rose to the challenge, diving to her right and just got a hand on the long range shot to keep the deficit still at three.
 
Just short of the halfway mark of the second half, Lethbridge was able to generate some pressure of their own, earning consecutive corner kicks but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities.
 
Only moments later, the Grifins put the game out of reach. Forcing a turnover, Maya Morell went in on a breakaway and made no mistake, slotting home the fourth Griffin goal in the low right corner.
 
Bohnert scored her second of the game just prior to stoppage time to round out the scoring, heading home a Maya Morrell looping ball into the Pronghorn box.
 
The Pronghorns will remain at home tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Alberta Pandas. Kick off is slated for 12:00 pm. MacEwan will head to Calgary to face the Mount Royal Cougars.