LETHBRIDGE – Unable to hold on to the lead late, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies settled for a 1-1 draw with the host Lethbridge Pronghorns on Oct. 5.
Just as the game reached the 90-minute mark, Colette Mofakham brought the Pronghorns back level with a brilliant strike from 30-yards that found the top left corner.
A week ago, the Pronghorns scored with less than two minutes remaining to tie the MacEwan Griffins and now see their record move to 0-4-4. The Huskies fall out of a first place tie with the MacEwan Griffins after the Griffins beat Winnipeg and their record moves to 4-2-3.
A cautious start by both teams saw long range shots and trading of corner kicks in the early going but neither team truly threatened to open the scoring through the first 20 minutes.
Pronghorn Colette Mofakham had the first quality chance of the afternoon. Mofakham ran on to a nice ball from Nicole Stahl but her shot sailed over the bar.
Only minutes later, it looked as if
Payton Izsak had opened the scoring for Saskatchewan, but the potential goal was called back due to Izsak being offside.
However, the Huskies would open the scoring in the 44
th minute. From 40-yards out,
Hannah Zdunich-Costa launched a strike that just flew over the outstretched arms of Pronghorns keeper Hanna Quinn. It was Zdunich-Costa's first goal of the season.
The second half started very similarly to the opening 45 minutes with majority of the play remaining in the middle of the field.
Maya Gabruch had a good look in the 73
rd minute from just outside the penalty area to extend the Huskies lead but Quinn was in perfect position to make the save look routine.
Pushing forward looking for the equalizer, the Pronghorns had a handful of good build ups deep into Saskatchewan territory only to have the Huskie defence snuff out any forward momentum. Substitute Lucy Mundy had a dangerously looking chance for the Pronghorns from 25-yards but couldn't beat Saskatchewan keeper
Jadyn Steinhauer.
Gabruch looked dangerous again in the 81
st minute for the visitors, looking to seal the game for her side however she just missed wide.
Following the Pronghorns marker from Mofakham, the Huskies came dangerously close to stealing the victory on a wild goalmouth scramble as stoppage time continued but were not able to avoid Pronghorn defenders in the box.
On the day, the Huskies held a slim margin in shot attempts and shots on goal, with 18 shot attempts to the Pronghorns 11 and seven-to-six in shots that found the target.
Saskatchewan will close out their Alberta weekend trip with a match up with Mount Royal in Calgary.
