MacEwan Athletics

OLDS – Newly returned to the lineup after an injury cost her the early part of the season, 2016-17 ACAC playoff MVP Morgan Casson scored her first two goals of the season as the Griffins downed the Olds College Broncos 4-2 on Thursday night.

Casson, who played her first matches of the 2017-18 campaign last weekend against SAIT, scored the game-winning goal 1:21 into the third period before potting an empty-netter to snuff out a late charge from the Broncos.

Outshooting the Broncos dramatically in the first period (15-1), the Griffins settled for just a 2-0 lead on goals by Tessa Mitchell and Chantal Ricker.

When Casson scored early into the third period, MacEwan was up 3-0 and appeared well on their way to a comfortable win.

But the Griffins never seem to have an easy time closing out wins in Olds; even though the Broncos weren't a playoff team last season, the Griffins lost in their first match there last October.

Thus, on Thursday, Olds fought back within one on Cassidy Holt's and Emily Hill's third-period tallies. With goalie Jaydlin Spooner out of the crease, they pressed for a late equalizer. But Raven Beazer selflessly dished the puck to Casson, streaking down left wing, for a tap in to the empty cage.

Sandy Heim made eight saves to pick up her fifth win of the season, while Spooner made 25 stops for Olds.

With the victory, the Griffins remain unbeaten in regulation, sitting atop the ACAC standings at 8-0-1. Olds falls to 3-6-0.

The teams meet again on Friday night (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).