MSOC - The Mount Royal Cougars hosted the MacEwan Griffins at home on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars looked to add another win to their record and improve to 3-2-1 on the season, while the Griffins searched for their first win of the season.
Both teams came out trading scoring chances early, struggling to finish their opportunities. The Cougars would find a flash of momentum and capitalize in the 29th minute, as fourth-year forward Finn Marshall opened the scoring to put the host team up 1-0.
MRU would add to its advantage in the 37th minute following a flurry of scoring chances, with third-year forward Jaise Shaw converting to extend the Cougars' lead to 2-0 over the Griffins. MacEwan would look to cut into its deficit, but Mount Royal held onto its two-goal lead heading into halftime.
Despite playing a man down after receiving a red card early in the first half, MacEwan would cut into the Cougars' lead in the 55th minute. Fifth-year midfielder Ali Yildiz finished a beautiful feed from first-year midfielder Noah McKee, bringing the Griffins within one at 2-1.
The Cougars would quickly respond with a goal of their own, as Marshall set up Shaw for his second goal of the match in the 56th minute, restoring Mount Royal's two-goal lead at 3-1.
Following Shaw's second goal, the pace of the match slowed as both teams battled for possession through the midfield. Mount Royal remained organized defensively, while MacEwan continued to search for opportunities to cut into the deficit.
The Cougars controlled the closing stages of the match, limiting MacEwan's scoring chances and protecting their two-goal lead through the final whistle. Mount Royal secured a 3-1 victory, improving to 3-2-1 on the season.
Mount Royal will take on the Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday afternoon at Stadium Field and will look to continue adding to their win total, while MacEwan will travel south to take on the Lethbridge Pronghorns in search of their first win.Â
Player of the Game: #25 Jaise Shaw, who recorded a brace in today's action, scoring his first two goals of the season to help the Cougars secure the 3-1 victory.
