PRINCE GEORGE, BC - Rookie forward
Taylor Lamb scored the winning goal for the Cougars in their 2-1 road victory over the UNBC Timberwolves on Sunday, September 15. The Cougars advance to 2-2 while the Timberwolves drop to 0-4 in Canada West play.
As the two new members of the Canada West bragging rights were on the line Sunday afternoon at the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League fields for the UNBC Timberwolves and the Mount Royal University (MRU) Cougars. The last time these two teams met they finished with a 3-3 tie. With both teams starting off shaky, it was a race to see who could gain control of the game and set the pace.
UNBC opened up strong, playing the ball down the right wing to create shot opportunities. Their work paid off in minute 8, when third year forward Sydney Wilson (Prince George, BC) found the back of the net on a rebound. Wilson's goal gave the Timberwolves a 1-0 lead to start the game.
Work rate was the difference between the two sides, as the Cougars continued to move the ball around the pitch into the second half. Trailing 1-0 to start the second half did not appear to phase the Cougars who got a goal of their own in minute 62. Third year forward
Karlee Hodl (Calgary, AB) hit a high shot across to the far side of the goal. UNBC keeper Jordan Hall (Prince George, BC) tried to jump to reach it but the ball sailed past her outstretched hands, tying the game at 1 a piece.
The Cougars quickly followed with another goal in minute 68. This time rookie forward
Taylor Lamb (Calgary, AB) was played a through ball from fellow rookie
Navroop Virk (Calgary, AB). Lamb split the centre backs creating a partial breakaway, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead.
The Timberwolves made one final push in the last  five minutes of the game; head coach Andy Cameron made some substitutions to try and inject some life into his team. Midfield Katie Blokker (London, ON) sent a hard ball towards the net from just outside the 18 yard box but the shot was deflected by Cougars keeper
Kelsey Marklund (Calgary, AB). The score at the final whistle was 2-1 in favour of the Cougars.
The Mount Royal Cougars will host the No.4 University of Victoria Vikes in Calgary, AB on Saturday, September 21 followed by the University of Fraser Valley Cascades on the Sunday. The Timberwolves next set of games will be on the road. The team will take on the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Saturday, September 21 before heading to Calgary to face the University of Calgary Dinos on Sunday.
