Box Score CALGARY – A late third-period goal from rookie blueliner Isa MacPhee gave the Mount Royal University Cougars women's hockey team a massive 3-2 win over the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday night at Flames Community Arena.

Mya Lucifora got the start in goal for UBC and had to answer the bell early from a couple shots from a close chance by MRU forward Jordyn Hutt.

The teams remained scoreless after 20 minutes.

In the second period, the T-Birds were awarded a powerplay after MacPhee was doing everything she could to contain Grace Elliott.

Although MRU successfully killed off the powerplay, the Thunderbirds regained control in the offensive zone and made the Cougars pay. A wild scramble in front put the puck on the stick of Madisyn Wiebe, who potted her second of the season to give UBC a 1-0 lead.

The Cougars had their best opportunity of the game after another UBC powerplay expired. Ava Metzger was sprung on a breakaway and she got in behind the Thunderbirds' defence after exiting the box. Metzger was stopped by Lucifora on her initial shot and the rebound to keep it a 1-0 game in favour of UBC.

Mount Royal headed to the powerplay late in the second and got their first goal of the weekend. Summer Fomradas' point shot was knocked down in front in a perfect spot for Jerzey Watteyne to whack in past the leg of Lucifora to even the score at one.

After MRU took four penalties in the second period, it was UBC that was hammered by infractions early in the third.

Allee Gerrard scored a nifty tip-in just as a two-man advantage expired to give the Cougars their first lead of the weekend.

However, the Mount Royal lead didn't last very long.

Less than a minute after Gerrard's go-ahead marker, UBC veteran forward Ashton Thorpe equalized the score with a quick rip over the pad of Scout Anderson.

With cooler heads prevailing, the two teams endured even-strength hockey for the rest of the third period. 

Mount Royal turned up the pressure late and got the decisive go-ahead goal with under seven minutes to play. Isa MacPhee's point shot sifted through the UBC defence, beating Lucifora. The Cougars were sent into jubilation as they could taste victory over the country's number one team. The marker was MacPhee's first career Canada West goal.

"It felt amazing," said MacPhee on her goal. "At first, I thought one of my teammates tipped it in but I was told I scored. It was the most surreal feeling ever."

With the net empty, the Thunderbirds pressed forward, desperate for a goal. After an MRU turnover, Ilona Markova was all alone in front of the Cougar net with just seconds left. Scout Anderson stoned Markova point-blank just before the buzzer sounded to seal the victory for Mount Royal.

Possibly the biggest win of the season, the Cougars hope this result will kickstart progress for the rest of the year.

"This momentum: I hope it keeps going. I know it's going to continue," said MacPhee.

Next weekend, the Cougars will hit the road for the first time in 2026 with a visit to the Saskatchewan Huskies. UBC will return to The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre for a three-game homestand, starting with a tilt against the Calgary Dinos next Friday 

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