In the time it would take to grab a snack from the concession, the MacEwan University Griffins women's soccer team had scored twice enroute to a 2-0 victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
Opening the game under sunny skies, both teams were held scoreless in the first half despite the Griffins containing much of the play in the Wesmen's end.
Wesmen's keeper Taylor Thorkelsson (Winnipeg, MB) was kept busy in the half turning away eight shots to MacEwan's one.
With teams returning in the second half, the Griffins continued to apply pressure when in the 52ndminute the home team finally broke through.
Griffins' rookie Nicole Paladino (Edmonton, AB) scored the first home goal for the maroon and white, beating the Wesmen defender wide before taking an outside shot from the right side to beat the diving keeper low on the left side. The goal was unassisted.
Quickly after resetting the match at half, Paladino once again found the right touch. Sprung by a pass from fellow rookie Kristyn Smart (Edmonton, AB), Paladino took a high shot that bounced off the keeper's hands and in for the 2-nil advantage. Smart was credited with the assist.
Thorkelsson would end the game with 15 saves in a busy afternoon, while Griffins keeper, Rebecca Reif (Edmonton, AB), would earn her first win on the season with four saves in the match.
Paladino was named the Player of the Game for the Griffins, while Sarafina Trunzo (Winnipeg, MB) earned the honours for the Wesmen.
The Griffins (2-1-0) will now host the University of Manitoba Bison in their second game of the weekend on Sunday, with kick off scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at JP Bowl.
The Wesmen (0-3-0) enjoy the remainder of the weekend off, before hosting the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 26 at 6:00 p.m. in Winnipeg.
MacEwan Griffins 2
Winnipeg Wesmen 0
Goals
GMU: Nicole Paladino – 52 min
GMU: Nicole Paladino – 53 min
Cards:
UW: Janelle Comte – yellow (USB)