MRU @ UofW

Once again the MRU team found itself in a classy hotel in a not so classy part of town, but sticking to the buddy system the team managed to prepare for their first game of the weekend. The weather forecast was gloomy for Saturday and it poured all day, finally stopping when the team went out for dinner that night. The Cougars had a solid breakfast in the hotel and with a celebrity farewell (CSI actors) in the morning, they were ready to face the Winnipeg Wesmen. Thankfully the team was wearing their blue long sleeve jerseys which made the wet and cold easier to handle. The game started well for the Cougars as they maintained possession in the Wesmen's end, the defence able to handle anything that came at them. As the game progressed Kelsey Kinzner took a shot from outside the 18 yard box managing to beat the keeper high, putting the team up one to nothing. Not long after the Cougars went up a goal however the Wesmen managed to make a good attempt on goal from a long ball. The Wesmen striker beat both defender and keeper, the only reason a goal didn't result was thanks to Monica Neilson. Who with her volleyball background leapt up and blocked the shot, directing it wide for a Wesmen corner. The half ended with the score 1-0, and the Cougars knew that another lucky break and the Wesmen would be right back in the game. Coming into the half with a few substitutions the Cougars kept the pressure on the Wesmen and created more chances to score, the chances only falling apart at the last minute. Not to be thwarted though the Cougars pressed, and Kelsey Kinzner scored an almost identical goal to her first in the second half. Still pushing for more success the Cougars found another with a give and go, which got Donella Lockhart behind the Wesmen defence. Who sliding in with the defender and keeper managed to get the ball in the back of the net. Some more substituitions followed as Coach Fusco wanted to keep the energy high up front and solid in the back. Substitute Karlee Hodl finalized the Cougars dominance when she found the keeper out of postion and shot a great ball over the keepers head into the far corner. The game ended with the Cougars feeling confident about their play and the result, but knowing that Coach Fusco always wants more. The more that he wanted would follow that Sunday against University of Manitoba.