Lethbridge – The University of Regina Cougars bested the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-2, Friday night, in the front half of a two-game weekend matchup.

Crystal Patterson started in net for Lethbridge and faced a total of 40 shots on the night, while Toni Ross got the start for Regina and managed to stop 28 of the 30 shots she faced. 

Carleen Meszaros, Brooklyn Moskowy, and Bailey Braden each scored for Regina, while Aislinn Kooistra and Jenae Culp scored for Lethbridge.

Regina looked to capitalize on an early power play opportunity, as Lethbridge's Kirsten Reeves was called for hooking, at 3:31, and it took Meszaros a matter of seconds to the first goal of the game. From just inside the blue line, the fourth-year defender's hard shot soared through traffic and ripped past Patterson to give her team an early lead.

Koositra answered back for the 'Horns less than a minute later, placing a well-timed wrist shot top-shelf, over Ross' shoulder.

Moskowy re-established Regina's lead soon thereafter. Skating into the slot with confidence, she patiently out-waited Kaitlyn Bauer with a great toe-drag and rifled a shot high glove-side, past the Lethbridge net-minder.

Culp tied things back up for the Pronghorns in the second period. Making the most of a great 2-on-1, Spence controlled the puck and drew Ross out to the right, leaving Culp wide open to receive the pass and bury the easy one-timer, knotting the score at twos.

After struggling offensively in the first half of the third, the Cougars ramped up their efforts and managed to net an elusive deciding goal, courtesy of Braden at 13:26. Triston Reimer let off a hard shot from the point and it deflected in, off Braden, who was in prime position beside the net, putting the Cougars back on top of the score sheet for the third time.

With this win, the Cougars improve to 10-4-1, while the Pronghorns now sit at 3-12-0. Game two of the weekend series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop is set for 7pm.