Match Day 5

Having only one game on the weekend the cougars went into the game well rested and ready to play. Having played the University of Alberta Panda’s in a preseason tournament and losing to them 3-1, both coach Fusco and the players had an idea what they were going to face. 

The game started at the fast pace that was expected and the Cougars did their best to hold of the attacks of the Panda’s. The first goal of the game was scored early by the Panda’s, but the Cougars continued to hold their own against a skilled opponent. As the Cougars settled into the game they began to control the play and get some attacks going at the other end of the pitch. Before the end of the first half the cougars were able tie the game and go into the half with an even playing field. The goal scored by Caitlin Spect was described by Coach Fusco as the slowest break away ever, but slow or not Spect chipped the keeper and snuck the ball under the crossbar for the tying goal.

The second half started the same way the first had with the Panda’s making some subs and continuing their strong attack. Under this attack the Cougars gave up a goal, which was driven in by a Panda’s defender. The Cougars continued to work hard and play hard, holding the Panda’s off till late in the game when another goal was conceded. Kelsey Marklund made the initial save but the team couldn’t keep the ball out as it bounced around the crowed 18 yard box.

The end result of the game was 3-1 for the UofA Panda’s, however both the score and level of play show positive improvements for the Cougars compared to pre-season.
A big thanks goes out to Vice President, student affairs and campus life Brian Flemming, Athletics Manager Karla Karch, and Kimmo Korvela for joining us this weekend to help support Cougar Athletics.

Submitted by Player of the Game: D. Lockhart. 

2012 Crossbar Challenge Team Competition

After review of the video....one must ask: Is the raptor's ball over the line of play?

 

Cougars score first CIS Point in School Program History

Tansley to Bloom to Kinzner....as the magic unfolds....

Match day 3 and 4

September 15^th

Looking back on an unsuccessful week prior, the Cougars were excited to compete against some more closer to home games this weekend starting on September 15^th. Coach Fusco had quite a lot of things on his to-do-list for training sessions and had the Cougars working hard to prepare for the matches against the University of Lethbridge and the University of Calgary. 

The Cougars started their day early on Saturday morning and loaded the bus up at 8am to depart for the first game of the weekend against UofL. Once arrived, the Cougars headed straight for the change rooms to get ready mentally and physically for the match. Once again coach Fusco had some inspirational words and a list of tactics to take into consideration for the squad in hopes that they would break their unlucky streak and put some points up on the board. Fusco asked the Cougars, “Who has the bigger heart to win this game?”

As seen before, the Cougars came off the field at half time holding the score at 0-0. Fusco made changes to the attacking line up and added Donella Lockheart alongside Kelsey Kinzner, and Karlee Hodl to create some more scoring opportunities. With a decent half of the match played, Fusco urged his team to “earn it!”

The second half of the match commenced and it was apparent that the UofL squad was hungry for a goal. Much like many of the goals scored against the Cougars while in BC, the UofL squad managed to cross the ball to an unmarked player and scored early on the Cougars in only the first minute and a half of play.

The level of play hand seemingly deteriorated somewhat on the Cougars part from that of the start of the match, but the Cougars were able to nontheless keep the score within reason. The match ended on the 90^th minute 1-0 in favor of the UofL squad. With emotions of obvious frustration from both Fusco and players, the Cougars headed home defeated once again in silence.

September 16^th

The Cougars entered the MRU varsity room Sunday morning with still some unhappy faces apparent from the match just 24 hours earlier. The Cougars got comfortable in their own surroundings and had a much needed team discussion on their performance in all of the unsuccessful games played so far. 

Fusco educated the squad with video footage on some coaching moments, and once again tried to talk the team about player mentality. Perhaps this time, the Cougars would prove these pre-match discussions and lessons to be beneficial.

The frustrated Cougars took to the home field of UofC looking to channel their frustrations into their play to find success for both themselves and the entire team. The level of play looked to be higher than any other match that the Cougars had played so far, and the intensity was great. The Cougars had more than 50% of the possession of the ball and things were looking good. Once again the half time score was 0-0, but with a different game being played than any other before the Cougars seemed optimistic about the second half and their potential.

The second half continued to hold its pace of play on behalf of both teams, but the UofC squad was first to score. The Cougars were not going to accept defeat this time, and continued to show that they were deserving of a win this game. And with good, hard effort comes reward; the Cougars finally put themselves on the score board as Kelsey Kinzner beat out the goalie with her fast feet and easily composed herself as she put the ball in the back of the UofC net. The Cougars were ecstatic both on and off the bench.

The end result was a 1-1 tie. Although the Cougars seemed to have played a better game on the pitch, there were no unhappy faces this day, as the Cougars had finally proved to themselves that they can compete and find success at the CIS level. It was a much more enjoyable ride home this time round.   

**provided by Kara Noel. 

Match Day Report: 1 and 2

After establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the former ACAC league, the Mount Royal Women’s Cougar Soccer Team sought out this past weekend to prove themselves in this year’s first ever CIS league game. This weekend would prove to be tough as the Cougars were up against some of the top contenders in the league, playing BC’s University of Fraser Valley and the University of Victoria.

The Cougars departed with much enthusiasm on Friday, September 7^th as they made the long trip out to Abbotsford to compete in their first game that very day at 5pm. After safely arriving by plane into Abbotsford, the Cougars continued to make their way by bus to Chilliwack, BC where they would encounter their first competitor; UFV. Despite traveling the entire day, the Cougars arrived ready to focus and play.

Just prior to the game the Cougars received an encouraging and strategic pep talk from coach Tino Fusco, emphasizing some key formation setups and defensive tactics to use against the very tall and towering UFV squad, which they would use to their advantage during the match. After a continued battle throughout the first 35 minutes of the game, the Cougars were forced to deal with their first injury of the season as starting center back Kara Noel was taken out of the game due to a knee injury. Regardless of the setback, the Cougars affirmed to be a determined and tenacious team after a positive outcome in the first half which held both teams at 0-0. Coach Fusco continued to stress the need to win aerial balls and continue to pressure the larger than most UFV squad in order to find more success.

Regardless of the Cougars’ efforts to maintain their defensive half, the UFV squad found three separate occasions to use their size to their advantage and scored against MRU on multiple aerial corner kick opportunities that coach Fusco warned about. The match concluded with a score of 3-0 for UFV. Although the Cougars didn’t find success in points during this match, small successes were made throughout the game and the Cougars kept their heads high, proud of their initial start into the CIS.

With still another tough match yet to come, and another long day of traveling to the island of Victoria ahead, the Cougars were due for a considerable amount of recovery. The final match of the weekend came quickly as the Cougars made it to the University of Victoria’s impressive stadium and prepared to compete once again. Knowing the Cougars would be up against a strong and experienced team, coach Fusco instructed the Cougars to each set individual goals and expectations for themselves to correct previous mistakes and struggles in order to reach success in the current match.

The Cougars determination was evident when at half time the score remained 0-0. The Cougars were accomplishing many of the goals they had set out to achieve at the beginning of the match and in turn received a positive outcome against the dominant UofVic squad. Fusco made little change to the Cougars starting lineup he originally set forth, but the UofVic squad looked significantly different coming into the second half with 6 major substitutions made by their head coach. With some obvious experienced UofVic players entering into the second half of the match the game changed significantly. Within the first 15 minutes the Cougars were down 3-0. The game continued and the Cougars did not let up on as they continued to make the UofVic team work for their victory. At the end of the 90th minute the score and had racked up to 5-0 in favor of the University of Victoria, but with 3 of those goals due to human error by the Cougars, coach Fusco ensured his team to walk away with a sense of contentment in their efforts.

The Cougars left BC with much to consider for their training sessions to come during the next week to further prepare and develop for the rest of the season’s matches yet to come. 

 *Written provided by 1st year, Kara Noel.  Pronounced "Noh-el"
*Photos compliments of Reaghan Zilkie; "like the president".