Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WSOC: MRU (6) at LET (2):

Scoring goals in quick succession in both the first and second half, the Mount Royal Cougars kept the Lethbridge Pronghorns off balance for much of the game enroute to a season opening win, 6-2 at the University Community Stadium in Lethbridge. This also marked a new record for the Cougars as they made history in the women's soccer program by scoring the most goals in one game. 
 
Mount Royal scored goals in the sixth and 26^th minutes of the opening half and then scored three goals in a seven-minute span of the second half after the Pronghorns had tied the game at two.
 
Catriona McFadden and Isabella Chirico each scored twice for the Cougars, while Bethany Middlemass and Sydney Danielewicz each picked up singles. Kaleigh Harris and Hailey Slobodian picked up the Pronghorns goals.
 
Cougars opened the scoring in the 6^th minute. Sydney Danielewicz crossed the ball back into the box finding Bethany Middlemass, who made no mistake picking the left side of the net to score the first goal of the 2022-23 season.
 
The Cougars continued to control the pace and possession for majority of the opening of the first half and were rewarded again in the 26^th minute, doubling the lead. Turning over the ball in the middle of the field, Middlemass chipped the ball into space and Catriona McFadden was able beat Pronghorn defenders to the ball and chip the ball over a charging Bridie Harding.
 
Following the Cougars second goal the Pronghorns were able to push forward and spend time in the Cougars side of the field. Forcing a turnover just outside the Cougars penalty area, newcomer Alexis Bradford slide the ball across to fourth-year forward Kaleigh Harris and Harris beat Torrance Langdon far side to cut the Cougars lead to 2-1.
 
In the begining of the second half, the Pronghorns knotted the score at two. Hailey Slobodian collected a pass from Kiandra Boulter and slide a shot low past Langdon for her first of the season.
 
Responding almost immediately after the Pronghorns tied the score, Forward Sydney Danielewicz regained the Cougar one goal advantage, beating a pair of Pronghorn defenders and keeper Harding in 59^th minute.
 
Less than four minutes later Mount Royal was back on the attack and McFadden picked up her second goal of the game and gave the Cougars their second two goal lead of the game.
 
Mount Royals' offensive pressure continued to put the Pronghorns on the heels and catching Pronghorn keeper off her line, Isabella Chirico floated a shot from 30 yards out over the head of Harding for the Cougars fifth goal of the game. Chirico scored again the 72^nd minute to round out the scoring.
 
The Cougars and Pronghorns will square off again on Wednesday, Aug. 31 in Calgary for MRU's home opener at 6 p.m. on Stadium Field. 


MSOC: MRU (3) at GMU (0):

Led by reigning Canada West player of the year Mohamed El Gandour and rookie French midfielder Mowbray Beghin – who each had goal and an assist – the Cougars posted a 3-0 win over the Griffins at the Edmonton Scottish Soccer Dome.

Breakdowns happen to most defences when El Gandour is creating in the attacking third, but sometimes pressure just leads to fortunate bounces, too.

The Cougars opened the scoring in the 36th minute when El Gandour's shot deflected off Beghin and spun into the open side of the cage with MacEwan goalkeeper Josh Stayko bracing for the initial save.

The duo struck again in the 58th minute when the Cougars advanced with numbers before Beghin sent a low cross to El Gandour at the goal mouth for a tap in.

Jonathan Walter completed the scoring when he scored off a rebound in the 66th minute.

Stayko made nine saves for the Griffins, while Sterling Kerr stopped five for MRU to earn the shutout.

MacEwan had several late chances to wreck Kerr's clean sheet when a flurry of subs came on in the waning moments. Most notably, Tommy Millar nearly finished off a great buildup in the 88th with a point-blank blast that Kerr stopped and Ousman Maheshe cracked one from a sharp angle in tight in extra time that Kerr parried away.

The Cougars continue their Edmonton road trip with a game against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 2:15 p.m. before returning to MRU for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. on Stadium Field.