Courtesy of Lethbridge Pronghorns Sports Information

Lethbridge - The conference-leading University of Lethbridge Pronghorns were blanked 4-0 by the visiting Mount Royal University Cougars, Friday night, at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Alicia Anderson got the start for Lethbridge and faced a total of 36 shots on the night. Jess Ross started in net for Mount Royal and looked strong between the pipes, turning aside all 22 shots she faced to earn a road shut-out.

Channia Alexander and Talia Terry each earned individual markers, while first-year forward Elisha Cunningham contributed two on the night.

The loss drops the 'Horns to 5-2-2-0 and drop to second in the conference standings. The win improves the Cougars record to 3-5-0-1 on the season.

There was a lot of back and forth action in the opening period of play. Kirsten Reeves and Tricia Van Vaerenbergh each had great scoring chances for the 'Horns. Sarah Weninger, Sydney Laurin, and Jocelyn Froelich responded for the Cougars.

With Lauren Friedrich serving two minutes for hooking, the Cougars were looking to notch an early go-ahead goal and it took less than ten seconds with the extra attacker for the Cougars to capitalize on their efforts. Cunningham hit Rennea Arnold with a quick pass deep into the corner and she sent right back for a near-textbook give and go. The rookie forward went hard to the net with speed and managed to put the puck into the net, for her first CIS goal, past Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

The Cougars doubled up their lead in the opening minute of the second. Joceyln Froelich put a hard shot on net from the point that was kicked wide by the Lethbridge keeper but Cunningham corralled the loose rebound and unloaded a quick wrister top shelf, her second of the night.

Anderson was peppered with shots from all angles in the opening half of the second, as Mount Royal rode the momentum of their two-goal lead and maintained the offensive pressure. Breitkreuz of the 'Horns was called for a hook, at 7:20, and once again the Cougars found themselves on the power-play but wouldn't manage to convert.  

The Cougars outshot the 'Horns 16-6 in the second period.

Alexander added an unassisted goal, at 4:25, widening the gap to three and, at 15:24, Terry added a fourth unanswered goal, from Kennedy Bozek and Devonie Deschamps. The Cougars outshot the home team 36-22 through three period of play.

The 'Horns and Cougars will conclude the home-and-home series tomorrow night in Calgary, puck drops at 6:00pm and the game can be watched live onwww.canadawest.tv.