Pronghorns rise to the challenge
WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM BATTLES ALBERTA PANDAS TO 0-0 TIE; STONE MAKES 19 SAVES
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s soccer team was challenged to roll up their sleeves and get gritty.
They responded and earned their first points of the Canada West season in the process following a 0-0 draw with the Alberta Pandas Sunday afternoon in Edmonton.
Despite the goose-egg on both sides, the Pronghorns dialed up some late chances they were unable to finish, while Pronghorns goaltender Micaela Stone had a busy afternoon, turning aside all 19 shots to earn her first shutout of the season.
The tie puts the Pronghorns at 0-11 to start the season following a 2-1 loss to the Mount Royal University Cougars Saturday in Calgary.
“I asked them to be more gritty and more sandpaper-like today and (give) a solid effort and that’s what they did,” said Pronghorns head coach Fred Trinh. “From top-tobottom we were much better. We talked about what it takes to be successful in this league and it really comes down to hard work. We’re not Barcelona that we can just show up and win the game. We still need to play and make it hard for the other team. Win or lose, we just have to make it hard for the other team.”
The Pandas outshot the Horns 9-4 in the first half and 10-2 in the second half, but the Pronghorns enjoyed a few late chances to break open the goose egg.
“We had probably two or three point-blank chances one-on-one with the goalie and we just couldn’t finish,” said Trinh. “At the end we played a great team game. Everybody worked hard and Jesse Dueck was stellar. It was two games in a row she’s been our MVP. Front to back, from Micaela to Jesse to Erica (Augsten) to all the players. Not just to single out Jesse, but the whole team game was fantastic.”
As well, Pronghorns first-year players Brittney Brown and Nicole Stahl saw some game action Sunday.
“Some of our new players got a chance to experience that’s it’s not about all-skill, you have to play structured and that’s what it was today,” said Trinh. “I think some of them were blinded by the pace, but they had some help behind them to give them that opportunity to make those mistakes without causing us the game. So I’m quite thrilled for the girls. All those girls that were recruited got to play, so it’s really nice to see.”
The Pronghorns play their home opener this weekend, starting Saturday when they host the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades at noon at the University of Lethbridge Stadium.
They’re back at the U of L Stadium Sunday when the Trinity Western Spartans pay a visit, also at noon.
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