Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE – Battling cold conditions and periods of snow, the MacEwan Griffins rallied from a one goal deficit to score twice in the second half to clip the Lethbridge Pronghorns 2-1 in Canada West women's soccer action.
Grace Taylor scored for the Pronghorns, while Salma Kamel picked up both goals for the Griffins. Pronghorn keeper, Hanna Quinn, finished with six saves and her counterpart, Griffins goalkeeper Emily Burns, registered two saves.
The win improves the Griffins record to 8-2-1 and have safely clinched a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The loss drops the Pronghorns to 1-9-1 and dampers the Pronghorns chance of an appearance in the post-season.
Entering the weekend, the Pronghorns trail the Regina Cougars by three points for the final spot in the Prairie Division.
Pronghorns generated the first good scoring chance 10 minutes into the game, when Raeleen Vanden Dungen latched onto a through ball and just missed the far post with a low shot.
MacEwan's best chance of the opening half came in the 26th minute. Samantha Gouveia hit a hard shot from 35-yards out forcing Hannah Quinn to be on her toes and punch it over the crossbar.
Shot attempts in the opening 45-minutes favoured the Griffins seven to three. The Griffins hit the net three times, while the Pronghorns forced Burns to make two saves.
Only minutes into the second half the Pronghorns would break the deadlock. Off a set piece, Grace Taylor tapped in a cross from Aislinn Williston into the low corner. The goal was the first of Taylor's U SPORTS career.
However, the Pronghorns lead would only last seven minutes as Salma Kamel received the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and slid it under Pronghorn keeper Quinn who was charging off her line to challenge.
With 10-minutes remaining, the Griffins took their first lead of the match, Kamel was back at it. Kamel picked up her second of the day and fourth of the season, receiving a pass from Suekiana Chouciar just inside the penalty area and slid the ball through the legs of Quinn.
Looking to equalize the game, the Pronghorns came right back down the field with Vanden Dungen getting another good look but Burns was able to get a hand on Vanden Dungen's shot and deflected it into touch.
Stats at the final whistle: shot attempts favoured the Griffins 14 to 11 but the Griffins registered eight shots on goal compared to the Pronghorns three.
The Pronghorns will conclude the home portion of their Canada West schedule tomorrow afternoon, welcoming the UNBC Timberwolves to town. Kick-off is slated for 12:00 pm and the game will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv. The Griffins will travel to Calgary to face the Calgary Dinos, kick-off goes at 12:00 pm.
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Photo by: Chris Piggott