Lethbridge – The Victoria Vikes opened their Alberta road trip in impressive fashion, dominating the Lethbridge Pronghorns in a 5-0 victory.
The loss drops the 'Horns to 2-6-3 on the season and the win improves the Vikes record to 7-2-2.
Shannon Elder scored twice for the Vikes and Lindsay Machin, Kiara Kilbey and Mia Gunter each collected singles.
It took the Vikes less than seven minutes to open the scoring, as Lindsay Machin put home a header at the far post off a great cross from Stephanie Badilla Gutierrez.
The Vikes continued to control the pace and temp of the opening half, pushing the 'Horns back into their half of the field.
Seven minutes after the opening goal, the Vikes doubled their lead. Following a cross into the box that the 'Horns could not clear, Kiara Kilbey collected the loose ball and beat 'Horns keeper Micaela Stone to the low corner.
In a half that was controlled by the Victoria, the Vikes had five shots and five corners, while the 'Horns only registered one shot attempt.
On the restart, the Vikes jumped back on the 'Horns, extending their lead to three, only minutes into the second half. Mia Gunter collected a loose ball in the 'Horns penalty area and picked the low left corner.
From the penalty spot, Shannon Elder upped the Vikes lead to 4-0.
Elder scored her second of the day to push the Vikes lead to five, running onto Machin's pass from a free kick and putting it into the empty net.
'Horns had their best chance of the afternoon in the 69th minute but substitute keeper Puck Louwes plucked Lindsay Amatto's shot from the right flank out of the air to keep the Vikes shutout intact.
While the 'Horns did manage to generate a couple more chances, both Alex Reinbolt and Amatto could not convert on their chances.
Michela Stone suffered the loss in the 'Horns net, making two saves. At the other end Meaghan Storie and Puck Louwes shared the shutout, but Louwes was the only one credited with a save, making two.
The 'Horns will close out the home portion of their Canada West schedule with a game versus the UBC Thunderbirds, while the Vikes will travel to Calgary to face the East Division leading Calgary Dinos.