Posted: Oct 17, 2015
REGINA, Sask. - The University of Regina women's soccer team lost a hard-fought battle against the Alberta Pandas 2-1 at the U of R Field on Saturday afternoon.
The wind was definitely a factor on Saturday, with a blustery breeze from the south playing a large role in the ball movement from the team playing against it.
Kristen Livingstone and Julia Ignacio scored for the visitors, while rookie Cassie Longmuir found the net for the Cougars.
Alberta opened the scoring with a goal off the foot of Livingstone in the ninth minute. The third-year midfielder scored her fifth goal of the Canada West campaign after a bit of a scramble in front of the Cougar net. Terri Kutryk crossed the ball into the box and it found its way to the boot of Livingstone, who slid a low shot past Savannah Williams.
The Cougars answered in the 16th minute, thanks to rookie defender Cassie Longmuir. Following an Alberta foul, Deanna Dartige elected to see Longmuir on the right wing instead of crossing the ball towards the box. Longmuir had plenty of space to work with down the right side, and her cross attempt towards the box fooled Cassie Bazzarelli and ended up in the back of the net. Longmuir's first career Canada West goal drew the Cougars even, and the score would stay tied until halftime.
The Pandas would go up for good in the 57th minute thanks to an impressive goal by Ignacio. Alberta couldn't capitalize on a corner kick, but the ball ended up being played right back out to Madeline Smith-Ackerl, who had taken the corner. Smith-Ackerl sent a long and high cross to the far side of the box, where Ignacio was free. Her header attempt went back to the far post, out of the reach of Williams for the deciding goal.
The wind had picked up significantly in the second half, and didn't allow the Cougars to make any strong moves at finding the equalizer. Karlee Vorrieter had a chance from just outside of the box, but her shot was blocked by teammate Daniela Castro. Alberta controlled possession in the Cougars end for the majority of the half, and ended up escaping with the win because of it.
Both keepers made four saves for their respective teams.
The Cougars (1-8-2) are back in action for their final home game of 2015 on Sunday, as they host the UNBC Timberwolves. Alberta improves to 6-4-1 with the win and will hit the road to face off against the Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow.