Box Score
CALGARY, AB – The Cougars would not be denied.

A 90th-minute goal from MRU midfielder Kareena Kassam gave the Cougars and the Trinity Western Spartans a 1-1 draw in Canada West women's soccer play on Sunday afternoon.

Mount Royal appeared to have scored first in the 18th minute, but Athena Fourlas' strike was called back when the referee ruled she was offside. The match remained scoreless.

In the 41st minute, Trinity Western was awarded a penalty kick after Mansha Sidhu was taken down in the box. Spartans forward Olivia Kranjcec stepped up and blasted a shot into the top corner to break the tie.

The Spartans took their 1-0 lead into the half. However, the Cougars would now have the wind in their favour for the final 45 minutes.

In the 70th minute, MRU got a taste of how impactful the wind would be on their play. Defender Keilyn Stabler struck a long free kick high and far. The ball rang off the crossbar and out of play.

"I was going for the top corner but I was honestly a little bit surprised it went that far," commented Stabler.

"Anytime you are playing with the wind, it does bring a slight advantage," said Cougars head coach Tino Fusco. "We're thankful to Mother Nature today."

With the weather on their side, the Cougars were determined to bring the game to a tie.

In the 90th minute, the equalizer finally came. After being subbed on in the 86th minute, Kareena Kassam found the back of the net when Tamara Djurisic's corner kick fell to Kassam. The goal sent the home side into jubilation and gave the Cougars a valuable point in the standings.

"We fought all the way to the 90th minute plus even more. We wanted all three points, but we're going to keep fighting," said Fusco.

Mount Royal will travel to Edmonton to take on the MacEwan Griffins on September 16 at 12 p.m. The match can be streamed live on Canada West TV.

Player of the game: Keilyn Stabler