Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – In a matchup of two teams looking for their first wins of the Canada West season, the Lethbridge Pronghorns were able to hold off the Saskatchewan 2-1 to pick up their first win of the season.
The win improves the Pronghorns record to 1-6-1, while the Huskies fall to 0-4-4.
Raeleen Vanden Dungen and Lindsay Amatto scored for the Pronghorns and Payton Izsak replied for the Huskies.
Saskatchewan had the first quality scoring chance but Pronghorn keeper Hanna Quinn made a strong save off McKenna Olson.
Off a wild scramble in front, Raeleen Vanden Dungen collected a loose ball and looped a shot over Huskie keeper Jaclyn Steinhauer to give the Pronghorns the lead 22 minutes in.
Vanden Dungen had two more good looks to double the Pronghorns lead but couldn't find the mark on either shot.
In the 43rd minute, Maya Gabruch had a point blank shot to bring the Huskies level, however Quinn was in perfect position to make the save.
Just prior to the half time whistle, Lindsay Amatto had a good look just inside the Huskie penalty area to extend the Pronghorn lead but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
At the half, the Pronghorns had seven shots attempts to the Huskies four but all four of the Huskies attempts hit the net. The Pronghorns had two shots on goal.
The Huskies pushed forward to open the second half and were nearly rewarded in the 54th minute. Haley Mercier cut back into the middle off the field and let go a strike that just missed to the left.
Off a set piece in the 65th minute, the Pronghorns doubled their lead. Aislinn Williston sent a ball into the box and Lindsay Amatto headed home her
Less than a minute later the Huskies responded and cut the Pronghorn lead in half. Off a set piece of their own, Brynn Bowles swung a ball into the box and Payton Izsak redirected the cross into the top corner.
With just under five minutes to play Vanden Dungen nearly restored the Pronghorns two goal lead and seal the victory but her shot just slid wide.
The Huskies again pushed forward in the final minutes looking for the equalizer but could not break through the Pronghorns defence.
At fulltime, the Pronghorns held a slim advantage in shot attempts 15-to-14 but the Huskies registered eight shots on goal compared to the Pronghorns four.
Hanna Quinn finished the game with seven saves to pick up her first Canada West win. Jadyn Steinhauer and Hope Pelk split the goalkeeping duties for the Huskies and both finished one save and one goal against.
The Pronghorns will be back in action at home Thursday night in the front half of a home-and-home series with the Calgary Dinos. The Huskies will also compete in a home-and-home series next weekend with the Regina Cougars.
Photo by: MPP Photography