WSOC - The Mount Royal Cougars welcomed the University of Alberta Pandas to Stadium Field on a chilly Sunday afternoon in Calgary. MRU entered the matchup looking to extend their winning streak and remain perfect at 4-0 on the season, while the Pandas looked to bounce back after falling to the Calgary Dinos on Friday night.
Both teams came out with plenty of energy in the early stages of the first half, generating several quality scoring opportunities. Despite the fast-paced start, neither side could find the back of the net, keeping the match scoreless through the opening minutes. The Cougars would ultimately strike first in the 24th minute, as forward
Dany Juarez sent a beautiful cross into the box that found
Brooke Miller, who finished the chance to give MRU an early 1-0 lead.
Alberta searched for a response following MRU's early goal, but the Cougars' defence held strong, with goaltender
Ella Filek making several key saves to help limit the Pandas' offensive opportunities and maintain the 1-0 advantage through the remainder of the half.
The Pandas looked re-energized to begin the second half, with fifth-year forward Makenna Van Der Veen helping generate several scoring opportunities as Alberta searched for the equalizer. Despite Alberta's increased pressure, the Cougars continued to create opportunities of their own and would add to their lead in the 74th minute. After a series of shots from MRU created pressure around the Alberta net, third-year defender
Ruby Szautner found the ball and finished the play herself, extending the Cougars' advantage to 2-0.
The Cougars held onto their two-goal lead through the final whistle, securing a 2-0 victory over the Pandas. With the win, MRU extends its winning streak to four games and remains perfect on the season at 4-0. With the clean sheet,
Ella Filek earned her first shutout of the season and tied Cailyn Leeson for the most clean sheets in Cougars history.
Mount Royal will head to Saskatchewan next weekend to take on the University of Regina, while Alberta will look to bounce back at home against the University of MacEwan Griffins.
Player of the Game: #4
Ruby Szautner, who ultimately scored the game-winning goal for the Cougars in this one, capturing her first goal of the season.
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