EDMONTON – Autumn Wynn saved a Cougars penalty attempt in the 90^th minute as the Pandas secured a 1-1 draw to open their Canada West campaign against the Regina Cougars Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.

She helped rescue a draw for a Pandas (0-0-1) team that saw a similarly great performance from forward Emily Duxbury, who scored the only goal for the home side in the contest to go with a game-high two shots on target.

The Cougars (0-1-1) would be one for two on the day from the penalty spot, with Peyton Enns putting the first attempt home in the 62^nd minute.

This was the Canada West season opener for the Pandas, who had a successful preseason run winning all three contests by at least two goals. The Cougars kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 loss against the MacEwan Griffins yesterday evening.

The game started with a bang, as some Alberta pressure in the second minute led to a botched Cougar clearance hitting the post and bouncing wide. They would continue their early momentum over the away side, generating a few set-pieces off the boot of Erin Hope that threatened to break the scoring open.

Second-year Regina keeper Kareena Andersen was solid in her second game of Canada West play, stopping the only shot on target from the Pandas attack in the first half.

Play would quiet down from the exciting start, as the first-half would finish 0-0 with only one shot on target from both sides. Alberta would outshoot the Cougars 6-2, with two coming from third-year Duxbury.

The second-half would start quiet until Cougars third-year Enns got taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick in the 63rd minute. She would send the ball past a diving Wynn for her first goal of the year to break the stalemate and put the visitors up 1-0.

The lead would not last long however, as Duxbury would net a great shot past Andersen to knot the game up at one. It came off a beautiful through ball from Erin Hope, who created a couple scoring opportunities for the home side on the day.

Alberta found a great opportunity in the 75^th minute, as a streaming Duxbury got taken down and the Cougars Delaney Rhinehart was promptly red-carded on the play. But the Pandas were unable to take advantage of the extra player as despite some impressive chances, Regina was able to limit the damage.

The Cougars were not content with a draw despite the circumstances however, as third-year Nicole Klassen was taken down in the home box in the 90^th minute and had a golden opportunity to win the game for the visiting side.

Enter Alberta's third-year keeper Wynn, who parried the penalty attempt with a diving effort to save the draw for the home side. She made three saves on the afternoon, none more important than the last one.

The Cougars return home for their next contest, a Sept. 9^th date against the Winnipeg Wesmen. The Pandas play at Foote Field again tomorrow against the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies.