Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE – Battling cold fall elements, the Regina Cougars picked up an important three points with a closely contested 1-0 win over the Lethbridge Pronghorns in Canada West women's soccer action.
The loss keeps the Pronghorns in search of their first win of the season and see their record slip to 0-6-1. With the win, the Cougars move up to fifth in the standings at 2-4-1 and only one point back of the Manitoba Bisons.
The Cougars opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Sydney Langen's cross was misplayed by Pronghorn keeper Chelsey Galbraith in the box and Brianna Wright was in perfect position to tap home her first of the season.
In the opening 45 minutes, the Cougars had six shot attempts to the Pronghorns two, with the Cougars hitting the net on half of their attempts. Aislinn Williston had the lone shot on goal for the Pronghorns but Kylie Bolton easily made the save on the long range attempt.
Corner kick opportunities also favoured the visitors, with the Cougars having four attempts, while the Pronghorns didn't have a corner in the opening half.
Early in the second half off a set piece near the Cougars penalty area, the Pronghorns had their best chance to that point. Williston played a near perfect ball into the Cougars box but Michaela Jacobsen just missed getting a head on the cross.
While the Pronghorns held more possession in the second half compared to the first, they were unable to break through the Cougar defence consistently.
With just under 15 minutes to play Raeleen Vanden Dungen had a great look from the right flank but Bolton was just able to get a hand on the ball and tipped it over the crossbar.
After playing a conservative half up one goal, the Cougars had a great chance to put the game away in the 84th minute off a set piece. Jet Davies crossed the ball deep into the Pronghorns penalty area but Wright's volley just missed wide.
In stoppage time, the Pronghorns nearly got the equalizer they were looking for. Emina Arima placed a cross nicely at the back post, but Nicole Stahl couldn't slide the volley inside the post.
At the final whistle stats evened out from the first half. Both teams attempted 11 shots, with the Pronghorns forcing Bolton into five saves to earn the clean sheet.
The Pronghorns will be on home field again tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies. Kick-off is slated for 12:00 at the University Community Stadium. The Cougars will head to Calgary to conclude the weekend road trip with a match-up against the Calgary Dinos.