The University of Regina women's soccer team dropped a close match to the MacEwan Griffins on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at the U of R Field, falling 1-0 to the visiting Griffins.
 
The two teams proved to be of nearly equal talent, playing with comparable aggressive styles and ending up with similar statistics across the board.
 
The game's lone goal came in the 29th minute after a pair of controversial calls. The Griffins were awarded a free kick after Tove Werner got tangled up with a MacEwan forward. Griffins captain Jennifer Lam stepped up to take the kick, and instead found Izabella Ponciano down the right sideline. Ponciano crossed the ball into the box and it was tucked away by Meagan Lemoine for her first career Canada West goal.
 
The Cougars argued that Lam played the ball before the referee had whistled the play in, but the goal stood and ended up being the winner.
 
A bright spot for the Cougars on Saturday was rookie goalkeeper Savannah Williams (pictured). The netminder started her third consecutive game for the Cougars and made three saves, including a spectacular diving stop in the 43rd minute to keep the Griffins lead at 1-0.
 
Brianna Wright had a glorious opportunity to tie the game up right before half. The second-year midfielder stepped up to take a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 45th minute, and sent a rocket towards the net. The shot cleared the MacEwan wall and rattled off the crossbar and out. Defender Rachel Taylor had a shot at the rebound, but it sailed wide.
 
The Griffins outshot the Cougars 9-8 on the match, with four of their shots going on net compared to the Cougars' three chances on goal.
 
The Cougars drop to 1-3-1 with the loss, while MacEwan improves to 2-2-1.
 
Regina will square off with the visiting Mount Royal Cougars on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is set for noon at the U of R Field.