David Larkins, Wesmen Athletics
WINNIPEG — A goal in the dying minutes salvaged the first point for the season for the Lethbridge Pronghorns, and left the Winnipeg Wesmen lamenting a lost opportunity.
Lindsay Amatto's long, looping shot from distance sailed over the head of Wesmen keeper Madison Fordyce in the 85th minute and helped the Pronghorns earn their first result of the Canada West women's soccer season in a 1-1 draw at Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.
It was just the second goal of the season for the Pronghorns (0-5-1), but it was enough to sour the day for the Wesmen, who were seeking their first victory of 2018.
"We're disappointed. Our quality let us down," Wesmen head coach Amy Anderson said. "We had them and … we had certain players play well and we had players that didn't perform. It's disappointing. We should have gotten three points today. It's a point, but it's not good enough."
The Wesmen were not without their chances, owning possession in the first half and generating seven corner kicks for the match.
It was only Shae-Lynn Dodds who would be able take advantage, staking the Wesmen (0-3-3) to a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute when she broke free behind the back end and navigated around keeper Hanna Quinn to slide a ball into the wide open net.
The Pronghorns, however, were worthy in the second half, generating repeated threats to the Winnipeg goal until they ultimately benefitted from Amatto's sailing strike.
"We strung some balls together today, which we haven't been able to do with some consistency," Lethbridge head coach Ilsa Wong said. "We got a few more chances in the second half, which was nice.
"Where we are, we have to be (satisfied) given the fact that Winnipeg did so well to put us under some pressure, so we have to be happy with the result."
One day after being knocked out of the Wesmen lineup with an injury, Fordyce returned to the starter's role and recorded her third draw in six contests this season. Fordyce recorded a career-high 14 saves in the Winnipeg net.
Quinn, the freshman who had just one loss to her record coming into Sunday, made three saves.
The Wesmen go on the road next week for a tough test at Alberta Saturday, followed by a Sunday afternoon clash with Mount Royal.