Horns battle to draw with Bears

With a somewhat depleted roster — and against the defending national champions — the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s soccer team has earned their first points of the season.

The Pronghorns battled to a 1-1 tie with the Alberta Golden Bears during Canada West action Saturday afternoon in Edmonton to move to 0-2-1 in the early-going of the season.

Already dealing with a lack of bodies due to the Alberta Major Soccer League provincials taking place in Calgary, the Horns kept it close with the defending USPORTS Golden Bears, trailing 1-0 into the late stages of the game before Pronghorns rookie Tyrell Thring scored in the 85th minute to knot the score at 1-1.

“I thought our execution and our attitude was tremendous,” said Pronghorns head coach Randy Bardock. “We were kind of limited with bodies because of provincials and the guys just did absolutely everything we wanted. We defended very well, we created some good chances and put one away with about seven minutes left. It was a very positive result.”

The start of Saturday's match was delayed due to poor field conditions, before being moved to the artificial turf at Foote Field.

Pronghorns goaltender Nolan French was called upon early in the game, turning aside Alberta’s Tolu Esan on a partial break in the fifth minute before denying Ivan Borka in tight.

But hosts broke through in the 29th minute on a goal from Ajeej Sarkaria.

Lethbridge nearly drew even before the half, but Stephen Primeau’s shot from inside the box was stopped by Golden Bear goaltender Connor James.

With French making a few more key saves to start the second half, the Horns eventually pulled even when Thring finished off a chance.

“There was a set play we had, a throw-in that we got a quick foot on from Dom Point du Jour,” said Bardock. “We always talk about positive risks and Ty just made a great run and finished it. It was just great to see the guys doing what we had talked about.”

The tie comes off an 0-2 start to the season last weekend when the Pronghorns were handed 1-0 and 2-1 losses to the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon.

“Even last weekend, although we didn’t get the results we wanted, the guys realized if we play the way we’re preaching and keep things simple we can play with anyone and today was example of that,” said Bardock.

The Pronghorns wrap up their Edmonton road swing today when they face the MacEwan Griffins today at noon.