On Mount Royal Stadium Field today the Mount Royal University Cougars men's soccer team earned their second Canada West title in program history, with an exciting 2-1 victory over the defending champions, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. 

Both teams arrived on the pitch eager to compete. Within seconds of kick off, Cougars midfielder Luka Patik sent the ball up to Finn Marshall who crashed the right corner of the net to attempt a shot, however UBC Jack Garner was there for his first save of the match.

Early in the game as the Thunderbirds attacked in the Cougars zone, Markus Kaiser came from the right corner, sending the ball up the middle to Theo Afework who got a quick shot on net to beat MRU goalie Sjard Strauss, putting the Thunderbirds up 1-0 over the Cougars.

Despite conceding the first goal, MRU did not let up. After a free kick by Patik, Ruben Koudelka had a chance, but Thunderbird Garner came up with the save. Soon after a corner kick by Finn Marshall sent a quick pass to Canada West Rookie of the Year, Chanan Chanda, who got it right back to Patik for another shot on net denied by Garner, who continued to stand tall for UBC.

The Cougars applied more pressure, spending as much time as possible in the Thunderbirds zone. The attack paid off as Marshall took a corner kick that was well placed in front to Alex Kemlsley, who headed it into the crossbar. Koudelka got his foot on the rebound and found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.

Hyunsoo Ryu was everywhere on the field for the Cougars in the first half, demonstrating his play making abilities on the attack and sacrificing his body in the defensive end. Koudelka and Kemsley were also strong defensively, their efforts helping keep the score at a draw despite strong attempts by Thunderbirds. Back and forth play for the remainder of the first half kept the game at a stalemate. 

The Thunderbirds came out strong to start the second half, applying pressure while trying to break open this even game. The tension grew heated, leading to a yellow card for Kaiser in the 57th minute for Unsportsmanlike behavior.
Not long after in an exciting opportunity to find the net, Jonathan Walter forced a turnover that led to an a shot by Patik which was once again saved by UBC net minder Garner.

The Cougars continued to press, and earned an incredible opportunity with a free kick just outside the box by Ryu that unfortunately missed high. UBC momentum was challenged with yellow cards to the Head Coach in the 71st minute,and another to Oliver Herbert in the 78th minute.

Through the second half of the game, defense on both sides of the pitch remained solid, shutting down chances by both teams. 

The Thunderbirds continued to lay on the pressure. Yuan Yu-Hsuan found the ball just outside the box, and he had a great chance at the net however missed high. Not long after in the 86th minute Yu-Hsuan received a yellow card.

As the closing minutes of this final match ticked down, both teams remained relentless in their attack.

Following a corner kick, Skyler Rogers found himself battling three Thunderbirds defenders,  but managed to send the ball through to Koudelka who moved it onto Marshall for a shot that was sent high. As added time play began Rogers had another chance that missed high. With the title on the line and not much time left, tensions rose and the Cougars bench received a yellow card.

With only a few minutes remaining Mount Royal found themselves on the attack.  As the UBC netminder Garner pressured Cougars forward Josh Flaksman, he moved the ball up and over to Chanda, who headed it into the back of the net, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

After a strong defensive effort for the remaining minutes, the Mount Royal University Cougars were named the 2025 Canada West Champions.

Following the match Mount Royal Head Coach Ryan Gyaki said, "I thought both teams were fantastic. The last couple of games against UBC have always been really, really exciting and close games."

Second year Cougars midfielder Tim Beckendahl was named the Championship MVP. " [Beckendahl] just kept going and played for the team and to finish as man of the match in a final is impressive," said Coach Gyaki.

With not much time to rest and reset, both the Cougars and Thunderbirds are headed to Toronto to compete in the U SPORTS National Championship next weekend.