Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
Lethbridge – In their final home stand of the 2017 season, the Lethbridge Pronghorns were unable to handle the U SPORTS top ranked Alberta Golden Bears speed and intensity, falling 7-0 Friday afternoon.
Earlier this season, the Pronghorns earned a 1-1 draw with the Bears in Edmonton but on this day, the Golden Bears wouldn't allow their provincial opponent to take any further points from them. A year ago, the Pronghorns were the lone team to beat the Bears, en route to the Bears 11th national title.
Ajeej Sarkaria and Nikko Cuglietta each scored twice, and the Bears got singles from Easton Ongaro, Tolu Esan and Noah Cunningham.
The loss drops the Pronghorns record to 2-7-2 on the season, while the Bears remain in top spot with a 7-1-1 record.
Early on the defending U SPORTS Champion and top ranked Golden Bears set the pace and pressure, one that put the Pronghorns on their heels. The trio of Ajeej Sarkaria, Tolu Esan and Easton Ongaro caused havoc for the Pronghorn defenders throughout the opening half.
The Bears high play rate was rewarded in the seventh minute. A three-way passing play between Esan, Sarkaria and Ongaro produced a highlight reel volley from Ongaro into the top corner to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Sarkaria was the beneficiary of a nice pass from Ongaro deep in the Pronghorn box for a tap-in to double the Bears lead.
The Bears had a glorious chance to up the lead in the 39th minute after a 'Horns pass back was handled by 'Horns keeper Nolan French, leading to a free kick inside the box. Sarkaria blasted a shot but 'Horns midfielder Stephen Primeau was able to make the save on the goal line.
However, Sarkraria would score his second of the game before the half was out. Ajay Khabra fed a wide-open Sarkaria and he made no mistake to the bottom right corner for his sixth of the year.
Shot attempts at the half were 13-1 in favor of the Bears.
Keeping the foot on the gas, the Bears pinned the Pronghorns deep in their own end for good chunks of the second half leading to multiple corner kicks early in the half, but the Bears were unable to capitalize.
The continuous pressure by the Bears was finally too much for the Pronghorns to handle, leading to two quick goals. Tulo Esan bullied his way through a pair of Pronghorn defenders and beat 'Horns substitute goalkeeper Matt Vandervoort to the low left corner in the 67th minute, while Nikko Cuglietta scored only a minute later, for his third of the season.
Noah Cunningham added the Bears sixth goal and Cuglietta picked up his second of the game in the 79th minute to make it 7-0.
Connor James had a relatively easy day, making two saves to earn his fifth clean sheet of the season. Nolan French and Matt Vandervoort combined for 12 saves.
Stats at end of the match were Shot attempts 29 to 4 for the Bears and with 11 corners in the second half, the Bears had 14 corners total, while the Pronghorns didn't register a corner kick.
The Pronghorns will host their final home game of 2017 Sunday afternoon, hosting the MacEwan Griffins, kick-off is slated for 2:15. The Bears head to Saskatoon to face the second place Saskatchewan Huskies, also on Sunday.