Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — A late bad bounce prevented the MacEwan Griffins men's soccer team from playing spoiler on Sunday.
In the 80th minute, a Lethbridge cross went off Alex Mosca and in, setting up a 2-0 win for the Pronghorns, who improved their chances at nabbing the final playoff spot in the Canada West Prairie Division.
Lethbridge sealed the win when Stephen Primeau scored off a penalty shot in the 89th minute.
Although the Griffins fall to 1-10-3 on the season, it was one of their best efforts of the campaign and they likely deserved a better fate.
"100 per cent we did," said head coach Adam Loga. "The boys have worked hard all year and we've been progressing very well. Unfortunately, we just can't catch a break."
Powley was fantastic on the afternoon, making 10 saves, including stopping Pronghorns leading scorer Chris Rushworth on a 73rd minute penalty shot. He dove to his right but dragged his leg to kick out the strike that was going the other way.
"I know Chris pretty well actually from our PDL (Premier Development League) season," said Powley. "We're good friends and know each other pretty well. I just tried to get into his head a little bit. The second one was close, but not close enough."
Powley tipped the second penalty shot but it still had enough to spin into the top right corner.
Earlier in the contest, the MacEwan keeper robbed Rushworth in the 29th minute when he stopped a heater that was bending inside the right post. And in the 53rd, he tipped Rushworth's header off the crossbar, keeping it out. He then immediately stopped Nico Pasquotti's blast off a corner kick.
"He's consistent. He always gives us a great opportunity to get something from the game," said Loga. "He did no different today. He just continues to impress."
MacEwan's best offensive chance came in the 67th minute when Christian Hernandez chipped the ball to Lahai Mansaray, who deked to the right and got off a blast that Pronghorns keeper Nolan French handled for one of his five saves.
"It was a good game back and forth," said Pronghorns head coach Randy Bardock. "Dylon made some great saves for MacEwan.
"We were kind of getting worried 'Is it going to be one of those days?' But we just kept working. It was earned in the end."
And a big three points for Lethbridge, who move to 7-6-1 on the campaign, two points ahead of Saskatchewan for the final playoff spot in the Prairie Division. The Huskies were playing at Alberta later in the day.
The Pronghorns upset the Golden Bears 1-0 in an early evening game at Alberta on Saturday and Bardock was pleased they were able to play well in a noon game a day later.
"The guys are just playing fantastic," he said. "Their attitudes are phenomenal. We had a really short turnaround and it shows a lot about the character of that room."
For MacEwan, yes, it was another tough loss. But the determination and effort were there on Sunday.
"We came out in the first half, got into the first half nil-nil. We were pushing up a little bit more," said Powley. "We did well (despite the loss). I'm proud of the guys."
MacEwan will close out its 2016 season by visiting Winnipeg (1-11-1, prior to Sunday's game against Calgary) for two games next weekend.
Lethbridge, meanwhile, will look to sew up a playoff spot with home games against Calgary (8-3-2 prior to Sunday) and Mount Royal University (7-4-3).