Eoin Colquhoun, Lethbridge Sports Information
Lethbridge – With all the scoring happening in the opening half, the Lethbridge Pronghorns and Mount Royal Cougars had to settle for a 1-1 draw on a smokey day in Lethbridge.
Hayes Wittrock scored for the Pronghorns, while Joshua Munoz replied for the Cougars. Both keepers, 'Horns Nolan French and Cougars Kryan Valley finished the day with four saves apiece.
With the tie, the Pronghorns record moves to 1-3-2 and the Cougars are now 1-2-1.
Early in the opening half, the Cougars put the Pronghorns on their heels and were rewarded with five early corner kicks but the Cougars were unable to capitalize. However, the Pronghorns would not make the same mistake.
On their second corner kick of the match, fourth-year midfielder Stephen Primeau laid in a perfect corner for the second consecutive game and newcomer Hayes Wittrock got his head on it and past Cougar keeper Kyran Valley for his first goal as a Pronghorn.
Before the half was out, the Cougars brought the game back level off a free kick from 30-yards out. 'Horns keeper was able to get a hand on Joshua Munoz's blast but not enough to keep it out of the net. It was Munoz's first goal of the season.
At the half, both teams had seven shot attempts but the Cougars were the more accurate team, forcing French into three saves, while Valley made two for the Cougars.
Early in the second half, the Pronghorns were awarded a penalty kick on a hand ball in the box. Newcomer Ellis Davies stepped up to the spot but Valley picked the right side, diving to his left to make the save.
The Cougars upped the offensive pressure but couldn't find the back of the net. Richard Nyavor had the best look for the visitors but his attempt rang off the post.
With less than two minutes remaining, Davies had a glorious chance point blank to put the Pronghorns ahead but Valley was in the right spot to make the save.
Next up for the Pronghorns is another road trip, heading west to face the Trinity Western Spartans and Thompson Rivers WolfPack. The Cougars are also on the road to face the UNBC Timberwolves and the Victoria Vikes