Dan Khavkin, Mount Royal Sports Information 

The Mount Royal Cougars started off their 2017/2018 season with a 1-0 defeat against the defending national champions and Canada West powerhouse, University of Alberta Golden Bears.

MRU started the game off strong and with pace in the opening minutes as they kept the play close to the touch line in allowing them to control play early on in the game.

Around the midway point of the first half came the Cougars best chance of the half. First-year forward Kylan Johnson teed up a bicycle-kick of a cross delivered by Yusuph Kalenga that was denied by a strong left palm by fifth-year senior Goalkeeper Connor James.

Alberta got on the board first in the 37th minute after a penalty kick awarded when a long ball played from behind half lead to an air duel between Cougar keeper Kyran Valley and Sebastian Crema of the Bears. Ajeej Sarkaria slotted the ball past a diving Valley who guessed the right way but was a fingertip away from a save.

The second half was filled with feisty plays on both ends of the field with yellow cards being sent both ways for a total of six. Cougars pressed in the latter half of the game but the ball just didn't bounce the right way for the home side this afternoon.

Justin Anderson-Louch had a hit from distance but the low driven ball forced James to dive wide and catch the ball. A last ditch effort by Richard Nyavor was tipped over the cross bar by the Golden Bear netminder as he was tested all game and saved his best efforts for last. Nyavor charged up field with the ball, dribbling past the Alberta defence until being stopped in the one-on-one battle

Tomorrow Mount Royal will play at 1:30 PM against MacEwen at Cougar Stadium Field.