Edmonton, AB - The MacEwan University Griffins women's soccer team came to a scoreless draw with the Mount Royal University Cougars today at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton, AB in game one of a two-game series. The Griffins record is now 3-3-3, while the Cougars moves to 1-6-2. MacEwan University will travel to Calgary, AB tomorrow for a second game against Mount Royal at 12:00 p.m. MST.

"I think it was a hard fought battle for two teams, I think Mt Royal came strong out of the gates, we were a bit flat," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro, "Then halfway through the first half, we woke up and we started to take the play to them. I've said it before, when you play at this level you have to make the most of your chances and you have to execute."

A scoreless first half saw continued penetration by MacEwan University down the wings, as the midfielders and forwards pressed into the Mount Royal zone. The Cougars defended in numbers, cutting down on the number of clear-cut chances made by the Griffins. Key saves were made by first-year MacEwan University keeper Emily Burns, Sherwood Park, AB and second-year Mount Royal keeper Meghan Prudhomme, Calgary, AB. 

Second half action was another 45-minute battle with pressure on both sides. A foul by Mount Royal in the 76th minute provided an opportunity for MacEwan University, however Prudhomme saved the penalty kick for the Cougars and the score remained neutral through the final whistle.

Burns earned her third shut-out of the season, while Prudhomme earned her first.

"Unfortunately we didn't get the result we were looking for but we learned a good lesson today. We're going to be better and ready to get out of the gate tomorrow," Coach Cordeiro noted, "Our team worked hard today and we just need to work a little more intelligently. We will look to put ourselves in good situations tomorrow where we can maximize our scoring abilities.

Fifth-year midfielder Erika Vecchio, Edmonton, AB, was the Griffins 'Player of the Game', and gets praise from Coach Cordeiro as being a maestro in the midfield. 

"Erika showed pure class on the pitch today. She connected a high volume of passes and is our creator in midfield. We always know what we're getting from Erika, she elevates her game by getting everyone involved. She is someone who does more than she gets credited for on both ends of the pitch, and she is key in the way we build up play and connect passes."