Box Score The Mount Royal Cougars men's soccer team stood tall after defeating their crosstown rivals, the University of Calgary Dinos, 2-1 in their first matchup of the 2022-23 season. 
Tension could be felt everywhere at Stadium Field today as both teams hit the pitch with ferocity. 

David Schaefer was the commanding force out there, tallying up a goal and assist to his stats sheet this season, bringing his total goals to two within three games. 

"I thought we did very good, especially because it's U of C, it's a Crowchild Classic. We really wanted to bring all the energy out here," said Schaefer.
 
The fourth year forward set the tone early into the game, breaking out of traffic on the top left side of the box, receiving a pass from Mohamed El Gandour before firing the ball into the top. Calgary goaltender, Jake Ruschkowski, nearly denied Schaefer but only managed to get his fingertips on the ball. 

The goal was followed up by a yellow card for both teams, one going to MRU's Jonathan Walter and the other to CGY's Gianmarco Plenzik, no surprise to anyone in the bleachers who could feel the tension from the rivalry hovering in the air. 

The remainder of the first half was scoreless but saw multiple opportunities from both squads. Sterling Kerr was incredible in the Cougars net, making unbelievable saves to hold MRU's lead. 

"For the most part it was just the energy, the attitude, giving everything. Every tackle, every sprint was just 100 per cent there," said Schaefer. "Now we'll work a bit more defensively, being a bit more stable and not getting out played so much in the middle but overall was very good.

The second half saw Mount Royal holding their lead well, cleaning up their communication and providing themselves with better shot opportunities.

The aggression kept up, with each team earning another yellow. Calgary's Joey Plenzik and Mount Royal's Abel Nesibu were carded within 10 minutes of each other, increasing the pressure on the field to a near boiling point.

El Gandour converted his first goal of the season in the 75th minute today. El Gandour carried the ball around the top of the box with speed and precision, beating Calgary in their own zone before connecting with his right boot and sending it past Ruschkowski. 

The Dinos never folded, putting their own goal on the board in the final minute of regular time. Jeff Spolnik sent a through ball straight to Amanuel Petros, high on the left side of the box. The kick found the cross bar before bouncing down and in behind the body of Kerr. 

The game ended with the Cougars victorious over the Dinos, earning them a number one ranking for Canada West's Prairie division. The men head into a two game weekend at home next weekend against the Lethbridge Pronghorns and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. 

Catch the games live at Stadium field with their 3 p.m. kick off's or live on Canada West TV.