Broncos withstand Lions' ferocious comeback

Olds College Sports Information
September 22, 2018

OLDS, Alta. - The Ambrose University made a game of it late, but the Olds College Broncos slammed the door shut in the final minutes of a 4-2 victory at Richardson Pioneer Field on Saturday.

Mario Fabian Gromenida, the reigning ACAC Male Athlete of the Week, scored a hat trick to pace the Broncos (2-2-1). Abu Bangura rounded out the Olds College scoring, while Ryan Murphy earned his first ACAC victory with a four-save performance.

Matthew Wideman and Fikru Huska replied for the Lions (0-3-1), while Jared Zimmer was busy, turning aside nine Bronco opportunities.

The Broncos opened the scoring in the 24th minute, as Bangura expertly sidestepped a sprawling Zimmer before finding the open net to put Olds up one.

Olds struck again late in the first half following some fancy footwork from Gromenida just outside the 18-yard box, turning a defender around before curling one past Zimmer to give the Broncos a two-goal lead heading into halftime.

Gromenida wasn't finished there, striking again in the 69th minute off a pass from Ushindi Mutabazi to give the Broncos a three-goal cushion.

However, Ambrose immediately struck back, as Wideman headed home a bouncing ball in the six-yard box in the 71st minute to trim the deficit. The Lions would strike again three minutes later, as Huska converted a penalty kick after a Bronco was whistled for a handball in the box.

However, the Broncos found an insurance marker late, as Gromenida completed the hat trick in the 87th minute, heading home a Jacob McLarney corner kick to ice the match for Olds.

The Broncos hit the road for the first time tomorrow, as they face the SAIT Trojans in Calgary at 2 p.m., while Ambrose will open the home side of its schedule next Friday against the Red Deer College Kings at 6 p.m.

Players of the Game
Ambrose - Matthew Wideman
Olds - Nicolas Depot