Aria’s late goal lifts Dinos over Pronghorns

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Soliman Aria scored twice, including the winner in the 85th minute, as the University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team edged the Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-2 on Friday night at Community Stadium.

The Dinos improve to 2-1-0, while the Pronghorns drop to 0-1-0 after their season opener.

Calgary jumped out to an early lead. In the sixth minute, William Omoreniye sent a cross into the box that fell to Aria, who turned past his defender and beat goalkeeper Tegan Romaine. Just minutes later, Gianmarco Plenzik struck from nearly the same spot, sliding a low shot into the net to make it 2-0.

Lethbridge answered before halftime. In the 40th minute, Kai Sakaguchi broke through the Dinos defence and slipped a shot past Hany Shafie. Five minutes into the second half, Will Hughes converted from the penalty spot after Bronson Schlichter was taken down on a rush, tying the match at 2-2.

With chances even late, the game looked headed for a draw until Calgary earned a free kick near the left edge of the box. Omoreniye's delivery curled into the area, where Aria knocked the winner past Romaine.

The late strike flipped the script for the Dinos, who had conceded a decisive goal in the final moments of their previous match against the Alberta Golden Bears.

Calgary now heads to Saskatoon to face the Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday, while Lethbridge will host the Mount Royal Cougars. Both games are available on CanadaWest.TV.