LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team scored three times in the second half to beat the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-1 on Friday afternoon at Community Stadium.
The win improves Calgary's record to 8-3-1 in Canada West play, and avenges an earlier loss to Lethbridge this season. The result, combined with Mount Royal's loss to Saskatchewan earlier in the day, widens Calgary's lead over the Cougars in the Prairie Division table.
The Pronghorns had the better of the early chances. Cornel Safsaf headed an Alessio Gusciglio corner over the crossbar early, and Gusciglio later forced Calgary goalkeeper
Hany Shafie into a tight-angle save in the 40th minute. At the other end, Lethbridge goalkeeper Tegan Romaine stopped
Efe Udolu-Joshua just before halftime to keep the game scoreless.
Udolu-Joshua finally broke through in the 62nd minute. Moments after Romaine turned aside his shot, he pounced on a loose ball in the box and finished into the open net for his fourth goal of the season.
Calgary doubled its lead in the 77th minute. After the Dinos won possession in midfield,
Joey Plenzik found
Josral Frederick, who came on at halftime, and Frederick put his shot past Romaine at the far post for his fourth of the season.
Lethbridge pulled one back in the 87th minute when Joel Jaravata worked his way to the byline and set up Micah McCusker, who scored on his own rebound. The Pronghorns pushed for an equalizer, but substitute
Greg Smith sealed the win in stoppage time, finishing a pass from
Milan Ponjevic for his first goal of the season.
Udolu-Joshua led Calgary with eight shots, four of them on target, as the Dinos outshot Lethbridge 17-12. Shafie made three saves for the win, while Romaine finished with four.
The Dinos will return to action Sunday, Oct. 18 when they travel to face the Saskatchewan Huskies at 2:30 p.m. The game can be seen live on Canada West TV powered by BioSteel.
Lethbridge will host the Mount Royal Cougars on Sunday, Oct. 18.
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