MSOC: Golden Bears stay undefeated after late goal sinks Dinos

MSOC: Golden Bears stay undefeated after late goal sinks Dinos

Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics

EDMONTON - Sophomore striker Easton Ongaro netted the game-winner in the 88th minute, as the Alberta Golden Bears knocked off their rival Calgary Dinos with a 1-0 win, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field. 

Alberta controlled a majority of the play and scoring chances, but needed a goal in the final three minutes for a second-consecutive game to remain undefeated in conference play. The Bears stay atop the Prairie division with a 4-0-0 record, while Calgary drops to 1-2-0 this season. 

Alberta outshot Calgary 19-9, including 12 shots from Ongaro and Ajeej Sarkaria, who assisted on Ongaro's goal with his conference-leading sixth point this season. Alberta also finished the match with 15 corner kicks, compared to just two for Calgary, as they held spent a majority of the match inside Calgary's half. 

Bears keeper Connor James made a lone save to record his second clean sheet of the season. 

It was the Dinos, however, who opened the match with a couple early chances, highlighted by a Mark Bohdan shot from distance which ripped off the Alberta crossbar. 

Calgary starting keeper Jake Ruschkowski was sensational for the Dinos throughout the match, finishing with eight saves, including a trio of highlight reel stops in the first half. Ruschkowski robbed Ongaro on a pair of chances from inside the box, while also making a sprawling save off a rebound in the 36th minute to keep the game level at 0-0.

Ongaro and Sarkaria created more offence for Alberta to begin the second half, but were stuffed out by the Calgary back-line and Ruschkowski. Ongaro finally broke the deadlock late, beating the sophomore Dino keeper with a low screamer from inside the Calgary box for the game-winner. 

The No. 8 ranked Golden Bears will remain at home tomorrow, as they face the Mount Royal Cougars at Foote Field, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Calgary, meanwhile, will head across the river to face off against the MacEwan Griffins at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton.