WSOC - The Mount Royal Cougars hosted the Manitoba Bisons on a windy Saturday afternoon at Stadium Field. Looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to their cross-town rivals, the Calgary Dinos, the Cougars aimed to pick up a win in the final stretch of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Bisons returned from their bye week looking to build momentum heading into the postseason.
The strong winds influenced the opening stages of the match, with Manitoba taking advantage of the conditions while playing with the wind at their backs. Fourth-year forward Bianca Cavalcanti opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finding the back of the net to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.
Mount Royal responded with an attacking opportunity from third-year forward Dany Juarez, whose shot was stopped by third-year Bisons goalkeeper Kailey Johnston-Krulicki with a leaping save. The Cougars equalized in the 40th minute when first-year midfielder Brooke Miller scored to bring the match level at 1-1. The score remained tied at halftime.
Both teams generated strong goalscoring opportunities early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, fourth-year Cougars forward Tamara Djurisic struck the crossbar with her attempt, and Juarez would convert on the rebound to give Mount Royal a 2-1 lead. Manitoba would go on to respond three minutes later, as first-year midfielder Mackenzie Munro-Flora scored in the 55th minute to tie the match at 2-2.
Mount Royal regained the lead in the 68th minute, as third-year midfielder Gabrielle Linford found the back of the net to put the Cougars ahead 3-2. With both teams continuing to trade goals throughout the match, Linford's finish gave MRU the lead for the third time in the contest. The Cougars extended their advantage in the 88th minute, as first-year midfielder Brooke Miller scored her second goal of the afternoon to put Mount Royal ahead 4-2. The Cougars maintained their two-goal advantage through the final whistle, securing a 4-2 victory and clinching a Canada West postseason berth.
The Cougars and Bisons will meet again Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Stadium Field, as Mount Royal looks to carry its winning momentum into the rematch.
Player of the Game: #15 Gabrielle Linford was a key contributor to the Cougars' 4-2 victory over the Bisons, recording a goal and an assist to help lead Mount Royal's offence.
