Thunder Comeback Falls Short As Portage Takes Tight Contest

The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder welcomed the Portage College Voyageurs Saturday afternoon matinee action. The Voyageurs took the lead just before halftime and survived a late game surge from the Thunder as they took this now 2-1.

A scoreless game for much of the first half, the Portage Voyageurs were able to strike first just before halftime as #7 Laiath Albu-Hamdan scored in the 38'. That goal finished a half where Portage control much of the play, outshooting the Thunder 6-3, forcing Thunder goalkeeper Scott Hornbeck to make several saves to keep the game tight. The second half, however, was a different story. Both teams found their offensive push as they combined for 16 shots in the half. Portage was once again the first to score, as #19 Fiston Kiese scored in the 66' to extend the Voyageurs lead. The Thunder found their game and applied heavy pressure throughout the final third of the match. #7 Kaelin DeLuca got the Thunder on the board in the 87' on a goal assisted by #11 Nicholas Lampron. Concordia kept the pressure through the final few minutes and into added time, but couldn't find an equalizer as Portage held on for the 2-1 win. The One Team Sports Players of the Game were #5 Dante Garritino for the Thunder and #19 Fiston Kiese for Portage.

After the game, Thunder head coach Hussein Shabdi summarized the mindset of his team: "we didn't play well, but we'll be back stronger next game." Third year Thunder midfielder Jayden Munguia added: "we did our best to make a come back, but we fell short. Congrats to them on the win, they deserved it."

The Thunder wrap up their regular season next weekend as they travel to Lakeland College to take on the Rustlers with huge playoff implications on the line.