General 9/25/2023 3:02:00 PM Ethan Bomhof

Cougars Catchup: September 25, 2023

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The U SPORTS sixth-ranked MRU Cougars men's soccer team embarked on a trip west over the weekend, taking on the UBCO Heat in Kelowna and the second-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. After two hard-fought games, Mount Royal returned from the trip with one win and one loss.

The Cougars kicked off their road trip with a match against the UBCO Heat on Friday at Nonis Field. MRU aimed to continue their hot streak after two consecutive home wins the previous weekend, outscoring their opponents 7-0 collectively.

Rookie sensation Nikolas Myroniuk put the Cougars ahead 1-0 in the first half when he struck the ball into the net after a chaotic scramble in front of the Heat's goalkeeper.

Midway through the second half, David Schaefer extended MRU's lead. The Cougars were awarded a free kick just outside the box, and the German national stepped up, beautifully curling it over the UBCO wall and past the diving goalie.

With a two-goal cushion, the determined Cougars were not content. Nikolas Myroniuk attacked the Heat's defence and capitalized on an error from UBCO's centre-back. Myroniuk stole the ball and skillfully dribbled it across the line to put the game out of reach.

Mount Royal didn't have much time to celebrate their 3-0 win as they prepared for a clash with the reigning Canada West champions and U SPORTS silver medalists, the UBC Thunderbirds. The T-Birds are the only Canada West team currently ranked higher than the Cougars in the latest U SPORTS Top 10.

UBC took a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half and held the momentum heading into the break.

However, the resilient Cougars squad refused to go down without a fight. David Schaefer halved the lead in the 48th minute when he fired a shot through the crowded UBC net and into the goal. Schaefer's fantastic goals over the weekend give him a team-leading six for the year.

The Cougars showed inspiring pushback to try to level the score. In added time, Nikolas Meyer had an excellent chance to tie it at two but sent a header just wide of the left post.

The reigning champions secured a 2-1 victory over the Cougars and remained unbeaten through ten games. Mount Royal now stands at 7-2 and is in second spot in the Prairie Division.

The Cougars return home for a pair of divisional matches. On Saturday, September 30, at 1 p.m., MRU will host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Following the all-Alberta matchup, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies come to town for a game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 1. Both matches can be watched live at Stadium Field or streamed on Canada West TV.

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Players Mentioned

#11 David Schaefer: Forward; 5' 9"; Second Year

#8 Nikolas Myroniuk: Midfield; 5' 11"; First Year

#28 Nikolas Meyer: Forward; 6' 2"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#11 David Schaefer
: 5' 9"; Second Year
: Forward

#8 Nikolas Myroniuk
: 5' 11"; First Year
: Midfield

#28 Nikolas Meyer
: 6' 2"; First Year
: Forward

Players Mentioned

#11 David Schaefer

#8 Nikolas Myroniuk

#28 Nikolas Meyer

Players Mentioned

#11 David Schaefer

#8 Nikolas Myroniuk

#28 Nikolas Meyer