WSOC - The Mount Royal Cougars hosted the Regina Cougars at Stadium Field on Sunday afternoon in an all-Cougar matchup. MRU entered looking to rebound from Saturday's 0-0 draw against the Saskatchewan Huskies, while Regina came into the matchup at 1-8 after dropping a 5-0 decision to the Calgary Dinos on Friday.

Mount Royal came out with heavy offensive pressure early, as its high press made it difficult for Regina to play the ball out of its own end. MRU created several excellent scoring opportunities, with fifth-year midfielder Zyna Centeno and second-year forward Kalia Bzeta both coming close but unable to convert.

Regina's second-year goalkeeper Peyton Magnuson came up with several crucial stops to keep MRU off the scoresheet as the hosts continued to search for the opening goal. MRU finally broke through in the 31st minute, as first-year midfielder Zoe Brazier finished a feed from fourth-year midfielder Tamara Djurisic to put Mount Royal ahead 1-0.

The hosts doubled their advantage three minutes later, as third-year midfielder Gabrielle Linford finished a feed from first-year defender Ella Bon Benard to make it 2-0. In the 37th minute, third-year defender Ruby Szautner created an opportunity for Djurisic to tap in her first of the afternoon, making it 3-0. Djurisic added another just before halftime, converting a feed from Linford in the 45th minute to send MRU into the break with a 4-0 advantage.

Djurisic continued to create opportunities early in the second half as she searched for her hat trick. Regina first-year midfielder Alyssa Falk worked to create possession for her side, but Djurisic would complete the hat trick in the 73rd minute to make it 5-0. MRU would hold onto the five-goal advantage through the final whistle, securing the important bounce-back victory. 

The Cougars will face the Calgary Dinos on Friday evening as they look to continue building momentum heading into the playoffs, while Regina will have the weekend off before hosting the Alberta Pandas on Oct. 17.

Player of the Game: #10 Tamara Djurisic who finished with a hat-trick in the dominant win on Sunday afternoon, commanding the offence the entire match.