Female Athlete of the Week

The MRU Cougars women's soccer team started the weekend off hot against the UNBC Timberwolves. After a scoreless first half, the Cougars got the ball rolling, with four players scoring goals. Ella Filek held the fort down in the net, achieving her first career Canada West shutout. The Cougars finished Friday taking home their first win of the season 4-0 against UNBC.

Going into Sunday, the Cougars would face off against the 2023 Canada West and U SPORTS champions in the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Going into the game they knew it would be a challenge and after a scoreless first half, proved they can compete. Unfortunately in the second half, things got dicey. After a cross that went into the back of the net and a few deflections, the Cougars dropped their second game of the weekend with a score of 0-4.

The female athlete of the week is Catriona McFadden. After suffering an injury in their season opener on August 25, 2023, McFadden made her return to the pitch for the Cougars. After subbing it at halftime, it only took four minutes for her to make an impact receiving a low cross from Dany Juarez, McFadden put the ball into the back of the net scoring her first goal since October 22, 2022. She wasn't done there, getting an assist on a Julia Makoloski goal 10 minutes later. 

The Cougars women's soccer team takes on the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday, Sept. 13th at 7 PM, as well as the Trinity Western University Spartans on Saturday, Sept. 14th at 7 PM. Fans can catch the games live at Mount Royal Field 2 or stream on Canada West TV. 

Male Athlete of the Week

The MRU men's soccer team took on the MacEwan University Griffins on Saturday which ended in a 1-1 draw. The lone goal from the Cougars came from Miguel Da Rocha who scored his first of the season on a low-driven kick into the bottom right corner.

The Cougars then took on the University of Alberta Golden Bears which was a battle. The Cougars found themselves in their second game in two weeks where over 19 fouls were called, resulting in eight cards for the Cougars as well as the ejection of Clement Guay. In the 64th minute, the Golden Bears scored first which led to the Cougars needing to push the pace in order to continue their record of no losses. In the 81st minute, Bernberg, Germany's own and male athlete of the week Ruben Koudelka answered the call.

After Joshua Flaxman centered the ball on a free kick, Caden Rogozinski managed to get his head on the ball, passing it over to Koudelka who proceeded to chip the ball over the Golden Bears goalie and into the back of the net. Koudelka has played 23 games for the Cougars and his first-ever career goal made an immense impact. The Cougars would go on to draw 1-1 and maintain their undefeated record.

The Cougars men's soccer team will be back in action on the road on Friday, Sept. 13th at 8:15 PM against the Trinity University Spartans, and on Saturday, Sept. 14th the Cougars take on the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack at 8 PM in Langley, BC. If you aren't making the drive, you can catch the games on Canada West TV.