MRU @ Trinity Western

The Trinity Western field is hallowed ground in the CIS west league, there is no field like it and after this year the MRU team has played on every field. Preparing for the game the team did everything they could to play there best and seriously hoped the fog would stay at bay for the game unlike the previous night. The team started the game without 5th years Kelsey Marklund and Monica Neilson, but came out intending to put the work in and not give Trinity an easy win. Once the game started it was clear that both teams were hitting hard and not giving any ground without a fight. With an unfortunate skip of the ball at the MRU defensive line the Trinity player found herself on a breakaway, and managed to beat the keeper. Showing the character that Coach Fusco has asked for multiple time the team didn't step back though they keep pushing and with multiple good shots around the Trinity box Caitlin Specht found the back of the net pulling the game level again. The Trinity Trojans weren't giving up either though and not long after found another goal to put them ahead once again. Entering the half down 2-1 the Cougars talked at half about what needed to be different, and the only change was to put 5th year Kelsey Marklund in net. Shortly after half more changes were made in an attempt to get some more control in the midfield and up front. The game continued well for both teams, and Cougars keeper Marklund making some fantastic saves and Monica Neilson coming on. Late in the second half though with the Cougars having moved players around in an attempt to get a last minute goal Trinity Western scored themselves. This goal brought them up 3-1 which is how both the game and the 2013 season ended.

Very Important farewell to graduating and moving on players: Samantha Valadao (transferring), Kara Noel (graduating), Monica Neilson (5th year), and Kelsey Marklund (5th year). May you all have the best of luck in all your endeavours.

MRU @ UBC

Having left the Calgary airport which was literally packed full of uniformed officers from England, the team hoped that'd be enough excitement for the BC trip. Reaching Vancouver though it was clear to anyone in or near a window that the city below was surreal as you could see the clouds of fog below blurring out the city lights and details. Adding to the experience was landing through a thick layer of fog, and knowing that the pilots couldn't see the ground anymore then we could. A few bounces later though the plane was safely on the ground and had only the challenge of finding the gate remaining. With the game not till the next evening the team found the hotel and rested up for the weekend ahead. A light practice in the morning got the travel stiffness out of the teams legs and let Coach Fusco present some last minute changes to set plays. At this point I will be honest in saying that my analysis of the UBC game is extremely limited, because early in the game the before mentioned fog reappeared with a vengeance. I would say that no one coach, player, referee, or fan could see further then 20ft across the field. Whether it be a blessing or a curse I can describe both the goals that UBC scored, as both came down the right side of the field and the cross beat both keeper and defence allowing UBC to go ahead. After that point the blanket of oblivion descended on us all isolating individuals, and much resembling a nightmare where you can't see or hear anything. The end result was 2-0 for UBC which continued there undefeated season one more game. The team traveled that night to Langley BC to await the game against Trinity Western University. Those people are at half by the way....

MRU vs U of Regina

Having lost their Saturday game to U of S the Cougars were looking to redeem themselves against the University of Regina Cougars. With an epic Cougar vs Cougar game Coach Fusco asked his team to show him their character and grit in the game by coming back from Saturday. With a 5th year ceremony before the first whistle coach and players a like shed a tear for the last home game of Kelsey Marklund and Monica Neilson. The ceremony seemed to shake the MRU team up cause the UofR scored two goal within the first four minutes of the game, not the perfect start to a game to say the least. The first resulted from a bouncing ball in the box which was swarmed by UofR players who eventually put the ball in the net. The second was scored off of a penalty kick, which was a heart breaker because keeper Kelsey Marklund managed to get a hand on the ball before it went in. Showing the grit and character asked for before the game MRU responded with a goal shortly after by Kristin Bloom. Bloom off a pass from Ashley Wroe snuck the between keeper and post on the near side, giving the MRU team some hope. The comeback was completed when Kelsey Kinzner from a bouncing ball side stepped a defender and beat the keeper wide, bringing the game back to a level playing field. With the second half starting with a score of 2-2 the MRU team figured the advantage was theres, all they had to do was follow through. The second half was filled with excitement for both teams and yet nothing to bring one ahead of the other. The heart break was completed when at the end of the half the UofR team got one last shot on target and just got the ball over the keeper and under the bar. This game was well fought and MRU players gave it there all, and left bruised and wishing they could have chances back to change the outcome. With next weekend off from games the team will refocus and come back to face Trinity Western and UBC the following weekend.

Special Thanks to Kelsey Marklund and Monica Neilson for their 5 year of play with the MRU cougars, and the team hopes they know how much they will be missed in the next years season.

MRU vs U of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan was undefeated coming into this weekend and the Cougars knew they were gonna have a battle on their hands to get any points of the Huskies. The game started with the Cougars focusing on defence and hoping that an offence would develop as the team settled into the pace of the game. The game seemed to be stuck in the middle of the field though, neither the Huskies or the Cougars really had any quality chances as both defences were solid. As it would seem it goes for the Cougars though the Huskies had a low bouncing shot that beat the keeper who didn't see the shot till the last second. With minutes left in the half it was frustrating for the Cougars who knew they now needed to pick it up even more. Some changes were made at the half in an attempt by Coach Fusco to change the outcome of the game. The Cougars came into the second half with a little more jump up front and had a few almost chances, but none that came to anything. With the Cougars taking more chances trying to get forward the Huskies secured their lead with another goal which beat the keeper high. The game ended with a score of 2-0 and as dissappointing as the result was the Cougars fought hard against the Huskies, and once again improved on their performance from last year.

Women's Soccer supporting the Men's Hockey Home Opener

Some of the Cougars made it out to support there sibling team, the men's hockey team in their home opener against University of Saskatchewan. Although the male Cougars didn't fair to well in the game losing 5-2, there was still excitement to be had. In the first intermission two of the Cougars own were chosen to compete in the half time competition. In the past some of the teams players had been chosen to participate in other teams half time events, and not once had the team won the prize. This game though was different we had a two players competing, Christine Jenkins and Taylor Lamb (Ralph) both rookies on the team. Of these two Christine Jenkins pulled out the win, winning a free class at MRU in the next semester ($600). Needless to say the team is improving in all aspects of competition, all we need now are some better celebrations.