Box Score
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MSOC: SSK (2) at MRU (4)


The Mount Royal University Cougars men's soccer team hosted the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a high intensity, aggressive match Sunday afternoon, ending 4-2 for the Cougars. 

MRU started strong, looking to repeat their performance from yesterday's game, scoring two goals in the first 33 minutes. 

Officials awarded a total nine yellows and two red cards on the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes, easily demonstrating the emotions displayed in today's game. 

Abel Nesibu (MRU), Niklas Liebich (MRU), Diego Reveco (SSK), Mohamed El Gandour (MRU), Ethan Keen (MRU), Luke Mackie (SSK), and Townes Allenall (SSK) received yellows. Nearing the end of the game, Townes and Ekior-Dourde Mieyefa both received reds. 

Townes received his red after being given a total two yellow cards in the game, one of which came in extra time. Mieyefa was given his after denying a goal scoring opportunity.

El Gandour capitalized on his first penalty kick of the night, following Mieyefa's red in the Huskies box. The initial shot was tipped wide into the left post by Saskatchewan's goalie before finally finding the net. 

Shortly after, David Schaefer brought the lead to two, assisted by Niklas Liebich, who sent a beautiful through ball. This allowed Schaefer to pick up the pass, move left and beat the goalie before sending it across to the back right. 

Saskatchewan stole the shutout from the Cougars after Ahmed Mohammed put one into the back of the net when his head connected with a rebound coming from the MRU defence. 

The second half was just as fierce as the first, ending 1-2. But the second 45 say an increase in contact from both squads.

In the 63rd minute, Reveco, assisted by Fraser McLeod, almost mirrored Schaefer's first goal perfectly with a through reception taken left.

Townes' red card opened up an opportunity for the Cougars to steal the lead once again, with El Gandour putting away his second of the game on another penalty kick. This time, the ball soared just past the fingertips of outstretched Jaron Slopinski, and into the bottom right corner of the goal. 

Following yesterday's win, El Gandour has cracked the Canada West top 20 for all time career conference points (35) and assists (14). After today, his points have increased to 39.

"They're a good team, they battled and made this game a tough one," said El Gandour. "But we were resilient and came back to win it 4-2."

MRU solidified the win in the 90th minute of play with Schaefer's second goal of the day, ripping the ball top right with no chance of being stopped. 

Mount Royal now sits 5-0-1 on the season while the Huskies drop to 1-4-1. 

The Cougars return next weekend when both the women and the men take Stadium Field. 

First up, the women take on Trinity Western University. The men will rematch against their Canada West semi-final opponents when they face the University of British Columbia.

Catch the women for their 1 p.m. kick off on Saturday, September 17, followed by the men at 3. Watch the game online at Canada West TV. Go Cougars. 


Player of the game: Moe El Gandour