Pronghorns name Athletes of the Week
By Lethbridge Herald on September 22, 2021.
After hosting their Canada West season opening triple header with the women’s and men’s soccer teams and the women’s rugby team Saturday at the University of Lethbridge Stadium, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns have named their Male and Female Athletes of the Week.
Taking home the Two Guys and a Pizza Place Pronghorn Male Athlete of the Week award is soccer goaltender Nolan French.
On the women’s side, rugby veteran Abby Duguid earns this week’s honours.
Returning to action after missing two full years of soccer, French – a senior – opened the season with a strong performance in the Pronghorn’s 1-0 loss to the Mount Royal Cougars.
French, who suffered a severe knee injury late in the 2018-19 season and faced over two years of rehabilitation to get back on the field, finished with seven saves in his return, including a huge save in the final five minutes to keep the Pronghorns within striking distance.
The veteran goaltender will be counted on throughout the season with the young Pronghorn team.
The Pronghorns head to Saskatoon this weekend to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday and Saturday.
As the Horns opened their season with a convincing 53-7 win over the Alberta Pandas, Duguid – a fifth-year lock – had a significant hand in the decision which also earned Lethbridge this year’s Suggitt Cup.
After taking last year off from school and playing rugby in England, Duguid was a force on both sides of the ball.
In addition to scoring the first two tries of the game, she moved the ball down the field with forceful runs.
Defensively, Duguid was dominant and was key in keeping the Pandas off the scoreboard until the final minutes of the game.
The Pronghorns head to Calgary Friday to face the Calgary Dinos.
Game time is 4 p.m.
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