PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - Nikki Furukawa lobbed a free kick over Jordan Hall's outstretched hands in the 89th minute to give the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns a 1-1 draw with the UNBC Timberwolves in Prince George on Friday.
The equalizer came as the Timberwolves were trying to hang on for their first win of the season. However, the Timberwolves (0-5-2) could only watch as the Pronghorns (2-2-3) became the third team this season to take a result away from UNBC with a goal in the 85th minute or later.
Lethbridge and UNBC have been very evenly matched, as they have tied all three CIS matches they've had.
Furukawa's goal also snapped Lethbridge's goalless drought at an even 376 minutes dating back to Sept. 19 against Saskatchewan.
UNBC did set the tempo early in the game, applying pressure on the Lethbridge back line and creating scoring opportunities with confidence.
The Timberwolves' persistence finally paid off in the 33rd minute, as Maddy Emmond picked up a Pronghorns turnover and found Ashley Anderson in the six-yard box. Anderson slid the ball past keeper Micaela Stone for her first career CIS goal, giving the Timberwolves a 1-0 advantage they would carry into halftime.
Lethbridge came out strong early in the second half, as substitute Lindsay Amatto nearly made an immediate off the bench with a quality strike. However, the Pronghorns couldn't get anything into the UNBC goal, and the game remained scoreless.
UNBC had a few chances to put it away, as the combination of Tianna Pius and Julia Babicz proved particularly dangerous on the right side. However, they couldn't get anything to go either, and the game remained scoreless until the dying moments, when the Pronghorns were awarded a free kick from about 30 yards out.
Furukawa's shot floated through the air, eventually getting Hall just out of position to score her third of the season and steal the point for the Pronghorns in the process.
UNBC concludes its home schedule on Sunday at noon PT against the Calgary Dinos (5-2-0), while Lethbridge heads to Edmonton to battle the Alberta Pandas (2-4-1) on Sunday at noon MT.