Brynn Hobal celebrates after scoring the game-winner in extra time on Sunday (Cameron Yoos photo).
Brynn Hobal celebrates after scoring the game-winner in extra time on Sunday (Cameron Yoos photo).
October 5, 2025

Hobal comes up clutch with two late goals as Griffins clinch 11th-straight playoff spot with win over 'Horns

Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – When they needed a veteran to step up and take over, Brynn Hobal raised her hand.

The third-year midfielder came up clutch in the dying moments Sunday, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes as the Griffins stole victory from the jaws of defeat, rallying back from 1-0 down to beat the Lethbridge Pronghorns 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

"It felt great," said MacEwan head coach Dean Cordeiro. "We left it a little too late, obviously. But a great feeling, nonetheless.

"Brynn Hobal, way to step up. Two big goals today. She was our player of the game just coming up clutch when needed. She was all over the pitch. We had her in a couple different positions. Fantastic yesterday, as well. It was really, really great to see one of our core players step up when we needed it most."

With the win, the Griffins officially clinched a playoff spot for the 11th-straight season – keeping alive their streak of making the post-season every year they've been in Canada West.

"Eleven years is a long time," said Cordeiro. "There are a lot of strong programs in our conference and to punch our ticket again for the 11th-straight consecutive year is truly something special. We're extremely proud of this team and all the work that everybody puts in. I'm very happy about that. 

"Now we've got two more games against our cross-town rivals (Alberta) where we're still jockeying for position. We want to keep climbing the tables. We're very happy we were able to punch our ticket to the post-season today."

MacEwan moved to 8-3-1 with the win and are now just three points behind Mount Royal (9-2-1) for second place and the coveted home field playoff advantage that comes with it. 

Both teams have two regular season games remaining with the Griffins against Alberta (4-5-3) on Oct. 11 (12 p.m., Foote Field) and Oct. 18 (12 p.m., Clarke Stadium, both Canada West TV). Mount Royal, meanwhile, has a home-and-home series vs. division leader Calgary (10-0-2) Oct. 10 and Oct. 19.

Just as they did during Saturday's 1-0 win over Lethbridge, the Griffins dominated Sunday's contest, outshooting the Pronghorns 22-3 (13-2 on goal).

The Griffins thought they'd opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Grace Mwasalla tapped home Anneke Odinga's cross, but it was whistled for offside.

After multiple premium chances didn't go in for the Griffins, Lethbridge stunned MacEwan off a late first-half corner kick when senior Lisa Popp headed Kiandra Boulter's offering past Carly Uchacz to open the scoring.

It was looking like it could hold up and result in a shocking defeat for the Griffins against the winless Pronghorns as they just couldn't get anything to go. 

Finally, though, Hobal took charge, chipping Alyx Henderson's pass past goalkeeper Kate Prince to knot the score in the 82nd minute. 

Henderson now has six assists on the season, second-best  in Canada West, and is just two back of the program's single season record with two games left.

With the contest looking like it would end in a draw, Hobal volleyed Raeghan McCarthy's extra time corner kick into the top corner on a gorgeous finish to salvage the full three points for MacEwan.

"It was one of those days where it didn't seem like it was coming," said Cordeiro. "But the team's resilient and we know the quality that we have. It doesn't matter if it was early in the game or late in the game, if we keep sticking to the plan, we're going to find a way. Sure enough, we did."