Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE – Despite dominating majority of the game, the Lethbridge Pronghorns had to wait until the final minutes to earn a valuable three points in their chase for the final playoff spot in the Prairie Division, with a 1-0 win over the visiting UNBC Timberwolves.
In 88th minute, Raeleen Vanden Dungen jumped on a loose ball just inside the Timberwolves penalty area and slid home her second goal of the season to give the Pronghorns an important victory.
With the win the Pronghorns improve to 2-9-1 and move into a tie with the Regina Cougars for the final playoff spot in the Prairie Division. The loss drops UNBC's record to 1-8-3.
In the opening minute the Pronghorns and Timberwolves traded spurts of offensive pressure but neither team was able to get clean looks. The Pronghorns had three early corner kicks, however, they were unable to take advantage.
Off a UNBC turnover, Pronghorn Hailey Waterhouse had a good look from just outside the penalty area but Julia Babicz easily made the save.
In the dying minutes of the first half, senior Aislinn Williston had a free kick from 21-yards out but her strike sailed just over the crossbar.
Through 45 minutes, the Pronghorns held the advantage in possession and on the stat sheet. The Pronghorns had eight shot attempts, three being on goal. The Timberwolves only attempted
Early in the second half, Pronghorn Raeleen Vanden Dungen was sprung by Emina Arima on a partial break but Babicz charged off her line and made a great sliding saves to end the threat.
Pronghorns continued to pressure the Timberwolves, hemming them on their own side of the field but Vanden Dungen missed a pair of chances, high over the net.
On another Pronghorn set piece just outside the penalty area, Erica Augsten took her turn and placed a well struck shot to the top right but Timberwolves keeper Madi Doyle, who replaced an injured Babicz, made a great save to keep the game scoreless.
Only minutes before Vanden Dungen's goal, the Pronghorns came dangerously close to scoring the game's first gaol. A ball played back to the Timberwolves caused a wild scramble. Doyle dropped the header back from her teammate and Lindsay Amatto pounced on the loose ball but could not find the back of the net.
In their final home game of the season, the Pronghorns won every statistical category. The Pronghorns had 27 shot attempts to the Timberwolves six. The Pronghorns also had nine shots on goal compared UNBC's three.
The Pronghorns head out on the road next weekend looking to qualify for the post-season but the task will be difficult, facing the second place Alberta Pandas in Edmonton and the fourth place Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary. The Timberwolves will wrap up their season at home with games versus Thompson Rivers and UBC Okanagan.
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Photo by: MPP Photography