LETHBRIDGE – Battling brutal wind conditions, gusting to nearly 70 km per hour at times, the Calgary Dinos completed a weekend sweep of the Lethbridge Pronghorns with a 3-1 win.
The Dinos beat the 'Horns 2-0 yesterday in Calgary In the front half of the home-and-home weekend.
The loss drops the 'Horns record to 2-5-3, while the win pushes the Dinos back into top spot in the Prairie Division with a 7-2-1 record.
Jordan Smith scored twice and assisted on another to lead the Dinos, with Carmen Lee being credited with the other Dino marker. Kim Shellenberg scored the lone 'Horns goal.
With the constant heavy breeze a premium was placed on maintaining ball possession and keeping to short precise passes.
The Dinos had an early chance on a free kick from 25 yards out, but Micaela Stone made a solid diving save to turn away Kayla Kreutzer's well hit shot.
Just past the halfway mark of the opening half, Nikki Furukawa had the 'Horns best chance, breaking in alone on Dino keeper Samantha Chang-Foidl but Chang-Foidl dove to her left to deflect the ball wide of the net.
In the 41st minute, the Dinos broke the deadlock, Maddie Lee's pass deflected off a 'Horns defender and sprung Jordan Smith, who picked the low left corner for her fifth goal of the season.
The wind continued to play havoc on both team's ability to generate offence in second half, but the Dinos did however double the lead in the 63rd minute. From a free-kick, Maddie Lee played a great low ball into the box and Smith ran on to the ball to redirect home her second of the afternoon.
After struggling much of the day offensively, the 'Horns cut the Dinos lead in half in the 78th minute. Kim Shellenberg's shot from a set piece from 30 yards out rode the wind eluding Chand-Foidl.
Dinos responded almost immediately, regaining their two goal advantage and seal the win. Jordan Smtih slid a ball into the 'Horns penalty area and Carmen Lee drilled it home.
The 'Horns will close out the home portion of the 2015 season next weekend hosting the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds. The Dinos will also host the Thunderbirds and Vikes next weekend.
