Cougars Catchup: September 24, 2022

Anisha Amiri scores against ALB 09/24

Box Score Home Games:

WSOC: ALB (1) at MRU (3)

The Mount Royal women's soccer team put on an incredible performance against the University of Alberta Pandas this afternoon, taking the game 3-1.

Alberta opened today's game with a goal in the 12th minute of play, but struggled to defeat the Cougars defence after.

Wanda Czebreszuk was the only Panda who was able to pass Lizzy Knight in net, and scored the first goal of the day. The second year midfielder sent a ball sky high from just wide of the net that slipped through the fingers of Knight and fell in behind.

Brooke Lang and Adrienne Poulin were both forces for the Panda team, both making repeated shots on net, but Grace Mullane was called player of the game for her calm composure on the field and leadership abilities while the team was trailing.

Athena Fourlas made her mark this afternoon. The late addition made an impressive showing with undeniable speed and precision passing. She picked up a through ball sent long down field before making a no-look pass right to the boot of Alexi Watson who was waiting in front of a wide open Alberta net, tying the game and one.

The Cougars spread the love on the field when Anisha Amiri got the team's second goal of the day off a cross sent by Monet Alonso-Cruz. Amiri was able to tip a high ball through the hands of Panda goalie, Autumn Wynn and trickle just inside the right post.

But MRUs shining star of the afternoon was Zyna Centeno. Centeno scored the third and final goal of the game in the 60th minute after stripping the ball off Alberta defender Abbie Sheflo and tearing down the field. She was able to carry the ball 30 yards before a quick release sent the ball under the arm of Wynn, and placed sweetly into the Alberta net.

"I thought everyone played really good. We connected. Even in the last ten minutes we still played together and we kept our composure," said Centeno. "Everyone was connected. I love this team."

Lizzy Knight was a wall on the Cougars goal line, holding the lead with her blind saves behind a cluster of green and white. Knight showed her soccer IQ on the pitch and combined it perfectly with athleticism to always intercept an ALB opportunity.

Alberta hammered Knight with 20 shots, 11 of them on goal while the Cougars only got off six, getting four on net.

The Pandas were able to prevent another Mount Royal goal for the majority of the second half, forcing turnovers and putting up a hard press. They also created multiple chances for themselves but Knight was too strong.

Mount Royal is back tomorrow afternoon when they take on the Grant MacEwan Griffins for a 1 p.m. start at Stadium Field. Come out and watch the game live, or find the stream online at Canada West TV.

"It's going to be a tough game and we know that. We just need to keep our composure and play as a team like we did today and hopefully we will come into a win," said Centeno.

Go Cougars.

Player of the game: Zyna Centeno

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Players Mentioned

#8 Alexi Watson: Forward; 5' 8"; Third Year

#16 Monet Alonso-Cruz: Midfield; 5' 4"; First Year

#13 Athena Fourlas: Forward; 5' 9"; First Year

#30 Anisha Amiri: Forward; 5' 6"; First Year

#7 Zyna Centeno: Midfield; 5' 0"; First Year

#22 Lizzy Knight: Goalkeeper; 5' 10"; Second Year

Players Mentioned

#8 Alexi Watson
: 5' 8"; Third Year
: Forward

#16 Monet Alonso-Cruz
: 5' 4"; First Year
: Midfield

#13 Athena Fourlas
: 5' 9"; First Year
: Forward

#30 Anisha Amiri
: 5' 6"; First Year
: Forward

#7 Zyna Centeno
: 5' 0"; First Year
: Midfield

#22 Lizzy Knight
: 5' 10"; Second Year
: Goalkeeper