Box Score CALGARY –  An MVP performance to start 2025.

Before heading to Italy to represent Canada at the 2025 FISU World University Games, Aliya Jomha scored a hat trick for Mount Royal, propelling the Cougars to a 6-2 win over the University of Calgary Dinos.

The Dinos were plagued by their undisciplined play in the first period, totalling ten penalty minutes in the opening frame. 

Despite Calgary's early parade to the box, the Dinos' superb penalty kill kept the game deadlocked at zero heading into the first intermission. Blueliner Emma Tait strategically pinned the puck against the boards, allowing precious Mount Royal powerplay time to tick off the clock. 

Dinos netminder Amelia Awad showed no signs of rust while being peppered with shots from the Cougars. MRU outshot the Dinos 21-2 in the opening 20 minutes. 

Less than a minute into the second period, a Mount Royal shot finally found the back of the net. While on a powerplay that carried over from the first period, Aliya Jomha sent a fluttering shot from the point through traffic. The puck fooled Awad and dropped in the net to make it 1-0 for MRU.

"We're doing a great job generating chances in the first period," said Jomha. "It was just that last piece of execution that we needed."

The Cougars' lead lasted just three minutes as Dinos' second-year Solana Cooper potted her first goal of the season, beating MRU goalie Kaitlyn Ross five-hole.

Mount Royal's lead was restored thanks to Jomha sliding notching her second of the period. 

Jori Hansen-Young made it 3-1 for the Cougars with a canon from the point. The defender's patented one-timer from the point whistled past Amelia Awad to give MRU some insurance heading into the third.

Midway through the final period, MRU rookie Lyvia Butz extended the Cougars' lead to three. The puck found its way to a wide-open Butz in the slot and the first year quickly fired it in the bottom corner.

Although they were being significantly outshot, the Dinos cut the deficit back to two to stay in the game. Rebecca Clarke's point shot was deflected by Kate Wagner who was parked in front of Kaitlyn Ross. The puck trickled through Ross, making it a 4-2 game.

Jomha scored her third of the game later in the period and was complimented by a sixth Cougars goal from Sydney Benko.

"It feels great to capitalize and execute offensively," said Jomha.

The Cowtown rivals will face off again on Saturday, this time at the Dinos' home rink Father David Bauer Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. and can be streamed live on Canada West TV – Powered by BioSteel.