Box Score
CALGARY, AB – The Cougars' streak continues.
The Mount Royal University Cougars men's soccer team extended their winning streak by defeating the MacEwan University Griffins 3-0 in MRU's home opener on Saturday afternoon.
The home team wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.
Josh Flaksman executed a clever play, stealing the ball from a MacEwan defender and slotting it past the keeper and into the net, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
The Griffins pushed back against Mount Royal and nearly capitalized on the wind's advantage. In the seventh minute, MacEwan midfielder Chance Carter unleashed a long-range shot from just inside the Cougars' half. The gusty breeze carried the ball far and forced goalkeeper
Aidan Dumoulin to make a diving save.
Despite the away side's change in momentum, the Cougars added another goal. Mount Royal rookie
Nikolas Myroniuk intercepted an errant pass from the Griffins and skillfully placed a shot past the diving keeper. This goal marked Myroniuk's first as a Cougar.
"Every coach in the league would want to have a player like him," said MRU head coach
Ryan Gyaki. "He's a very talented player."
The Griffins had a significant opportunity to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty kick just before the end of the first half. Forward Rakan Yassin stepped up to the spot but struck the ball against the woodwork, despite
Aidan Dumoulin guessing the wrong way. With a bit of luck, the Cougars maintained their clean sheet streak.
"The game could have gone either way if that penalty shot had gone in," Gyaki commented. "They were tough to beat. I don't think the score reflects the game, but I'm happy with the result."
In the 53rd minute, Mount Royal extended their lead to 3-0. Veteran forward
David Schaefer scored his second goal of the year, providing the home crowd with even more to cheer about.
"It was a great team win," Gyaki added.
The Cougars now boast a 4-0-0 record heading into Sunday's match against the Alberta Golden Bears. The provincial showdown can be watched live at Stadium Field or streamed on
Canada West TV at 3 p.m.
Player of the Game:
Nikolas Myroniuk
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