CAPE BRETON, NS - After making the program's first ever appearance at U SPORTS Nationals, the men's soccer team left everything they had on the field but unfortunately came up short with a nail-biting 1-0 loss to UBC in the bronze medal match on Sunday morning.

After the Cougars defeated the Thunderbirds in the Canada West Championship just one week prior, ending UBC's five-year winning streak, it was practically destiny that the battle of the West would return for another medal match between the rival schools. 

Luke Norman from UBC managed to score the lone goal in the 27th minute after a deflected clearing attempt from Mount Royal, inevitably landing the Thunderbirds with the win. UBC played a dominant first half, with 10 shots on net. Mount Royal came out hard in the second half searching hard for an equalizer, with seven shots and three corner kicks in the final 45 minutes. 

The Cougars had a great chance in the 74th minute with a sneaky header by Finn Marshall off a cross that got behind the defence, but was just a few inches short from getting past their keeper. 

If there's one thing for certain, the match never had a dull moment and the Cougars gave everything they had until the end. While the loss felt devastating, the team held their heads high knowing their very presence at U SPORTS Nationals in the No. 1 seed not only made history for the men's soccer program but for Mount Royal Athletics as well. In particular, graduating players Benedikt Mehl, David Schaefer, and William Libbey, can retire from their time with the Cougars clinching a Canada West Gold for the first time in program history, and a fourth place finish on the national stage.

"It was a hard fought 90 minutes and at the end of the day, it just came down to a couple missed opportunities. We've worked so hard all season; I'm so proud of our guys and the work we put in to get here," says U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and team captain, Caden Rogozinski. 

Head Coach Ryan Gyaki reflected on helping lead his team to their first U SPORTS Nationals.

 "It was a very close game and fun to have a rematch against UBC from the Canada West finals; both teams put the effort in and played very well. I think UBC was dominant in the first half and it went more our way in the second; unfortunately, their chance went in and ours didn't. Overall, it was an excellent match. Congratulations to UBC and all the other teams, and thank you to Cape Breton for putting on an amazing event!" says Gyaki.

U SPORTS x Nike Team Player of the Game: Aidan Dumoulin