2014 Season Recap

As the post-season player meetings are underway and the squad is frantically completing the last few assignments from their classes heading into the December finals; it's time to reflect on the 2014 season.

The third season for the women's soccer program in Canada West brought a new league schedule format and new challenges.

The team started the preseason bringing in two well-known Canadian coaches; Neil Turnbull and and Neil Sedgwick for a 4 day mini-camp to work with the players.  Some very good times.  Following this camp, the squad hosted it's annual preseason weekend tournament bringing in teams from BC and surrounding area.  Wrapping up the preseason, the squad made history for the program heading down to the USA to play some NAIA and NCAA Division 2 schools.  All round, good experience for all.

The squad opened league play with a 4 point weekend at home; beating the University of Lethbridge and following that performance with a 0-0 draw to the home school rival UofC.

It's the middle of the season where the squad showed it's inconsistency, dropping points on various weekends.  The team did show it's pride and allowed the seniors and 5th year graduates to play their last weekend matches - making history for a second time this year - earning a 6 point weekend on the road in Winnipeg with two wins.   Start strong - finish strong!  We learned some valuable lessons about consistency and quality that we need to address in the coming year.

Overall, we finished with more points this season than in the last two years since joining the University league.  The program is making strides and continues to find success.

A big thank you is in order to our supporters of the program as well as the following staff:

K. Marklund - social media
J. Brading - Team Manager
V. Peters - Assistant Coach
C. MacKay - Assistant Coach
A. Bonutti - Athletic Therapist
L. Materi - Strength and Conditioning Coach

The program is currently speaking with potential prospects and have currently signed some new players which will be made public in the coming months.

Donella Lockhart: Athlete of the Month

Fiery 5'3 inch soccer player led MRU Cougars' transition into university CIS play with second most points

Check out 5th year Cougar Donella Lockhart, The Calgary Journal Athlete of the Month! A great interview and summation of Lockhart's 5 years as a Cougar.

"Donella comes with a little bit of a bite and I like that about her. She's adapted to whatever challenges have come her way. She carries a bit of an edge to her." - Coach Fusco

Read the full interview here!

MRU 2014 Annual Cross Bar Challenge

On a side note:  the administrators of this blog would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the lost 2013 Crossbar Challenge Video.  Until it is found, we cannot verify any winners of that event at this time. 

On a rare day off due to team photos, mid-season, the squad took to the training field, sporting it's navy long sleeve kit.

With no official warmup or trial kicks rather opting for a few tosses of the american pig skin around the pitch, we were all left to our own technical abilities.  (Arms out for balance, plant foot, foot firm a strong wind to the left for many {okay, there was no wind on this day; and a little banter)

Miss Deeks takes the event to a whole new level with her final entrance as she has officially graduated from the event....or is there some coaching ability in her yet....

Unfortunately, due to a jump in the sequence by Mrs. Peters - she has been disqualified from the event by the judges after reviewing the video replay thus no prizes will be distributed this season and the title of crossbar master will continue into the 2015 season.

It was unfortunate for the rookie assistant coach this season but she should pay attention to the rules.   Better luck next year.

COUGARS FACE ADVERSITY IN WEEKEND NUMBER TWO

#Adversity or #Anniversary: From celebrating 20 years of Cougar women’s soccer, to battling the elements and practicing indoors in a small gym, these two words are the best ways to describe the Cougar’s season so far.

Coming off a win and a tie in a sunny and +25 opening weekend at home, the following week found Calgary buried under a foot of snow... leaving Cougar coaching staff scrambling to find indoor practice space. With less than ideal preparation the team embarked on the long bus ride to Saskatoon, hoping that determination and heart would be enough to achieve some success.

On Saturday the University of Saskatchewan Huskies proved to be a very skilled team, beating the Cougars 4-0. Hoping the kinks in their play had been left behind in Saskatoon, the girls shook it off, heads held high going into Sunday’s match against the University of Regina Cougars.

With the game plan in hand, the battle of the Cougars began. MRU started the game with good pressure up top and some chances on goal. It was still early in the game when a poorly cleared corner kick allowed the Regina team to get up on the board 1-0. Unfortunately it was downhill from there. The lone goal for the Cougars was scored by Kelsey Kinzner later in the second half, but the damage was done, resulting in a 6-1 loss for MRU.

Film will be analyzed and the team will reflect on their play, with the goal of addressing what exactly went wrong, in hopes of answering the questions: What will the teams identity be? How are they going to respond?

The third weekend of the season will have the Cougars up against the University of Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton this coming weekend for their first duplicate opponent matches after the restructuring of CIS West.

Perhaps the most annoying challenge will be sharing a bus with the MRU men’s soccer team as they too will be traveling to Edmonton (hopefully Taylor Lamb remembers the Febreze).

Blog by fifth year Donella Lockhart.

COUGARS GO UNDEFEATED IN FIRST WEEKEND

Calgary – The Mount Royal Cougars started the year off with a huge offensive outburst defeating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-1 at MRU Stadium field.

The Cougars came out firing as they peppered Lethbridge's keeper Myriah Mariano early and often. The Cougars let off six shots at Mariano but she stood tall, keeping the score 0-0.

In the 16th minute Lehtbridge turned over the ball to the Cougar's top offensive player Kelsey Kinzer. Mariano made the first save but Kinzner stayed with it, collected her rebound and tapped the ball into the empty net.

Lethbridge answered in the 30th minute as Kayla Blacquiere was able to arc one over the Cougar's keeper from outside the box to tie the game at one. The score would remain tied until half time.

Mount Royal dominated possession throughout the second half. In the 76th minute the Cougars added the go ahead goal. Kinzner drew all the defenders over to her and then threw a nice touch pass over to rookie Emily Sands who made no mistake and gave Mount Royal a 2-1 lead.

Briana Kiel added another goal to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead and that is how it wrapped up.

With the win, Mount Royal moves to 1-0-0 on the season, while Lethbridge drops 0-1-0.

Calgary – The first installment of the 2014-15 Crowchild Classic between the Mount Royal Cougars and the Calgary Dinos ends in a 0-0 draw.

The Cougars were coming off a huge 3-1 win in their home opener against the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Calgary was also 1-0-0 after defeating the Alberta Golden Bears 2-0 yesterday in Edmonton.

The Cougars knew they would be in tough on Sunday after Calgary's defeat of the third ranked team in the nation. The Cougars came out fearlessly, going hard into tackles and coming out with the ball.

Calgary had the majority of the scoring chances but the Cougar's defence bent but didn't break. Defenders Riley Medd and Reghan Zilkie stood tall against the Dino's attack. Cougar's goalkeeper Janelle Chicilo made six big saves to keep the game scoreless.

The Cougars had a chance to go ahead in the 73rd minute when rookie Emily Sands, who was coming off her first Canada West goal yesterday, went for a loose ball and end up colliding hard with the Dino's keeper. The play warranted a caution against Sands but both players were able to shake it off and remain in the game.

The tie gives both the Cougars and Dinos a record of 1-0-1 on the season.

Calgary will have a quick turnaround, hosting Lethbridge on Thursday evening. Mount Royal will head to Saskatchewan next weekend for dates with the Huskies and the Cougars.

After the game, Mount Royal President Dr. David Docherty and Athletic Director Karla Karch completed the ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE.

The game also marked 20 years of Cougars women's soccer.



Via MRU Cougars

Join the 2014 Score-a-Thon

As we head into the 2014-2015 season, we've decided to try something new.

A different approach to fundraising, the Score-a-Thon is a very simple process. The team asks you to support us with our achievements on the field by donating a monetary amount directly correlated to your choice of the following:

• Goal-a-Thon: each goal scored this regular season
• Save-a-Thon: each shot saved  this regular season
• Shot-a-Thon: each shot taken this regular season
• Clean sheet
• Flat donation

In 2013 our results were as follows:
Goals = 14, Shots on goal = 66, Saves = 45

For example, if you pledge $2.00 per goal scored and the team scored 40 goals, your total donation would be $80.00.

The regular season begins September 6, 2014. Donors will be contacted at the end of the MRU women's soccer regular season play and informed of their contribution amounts. Donations are tax deductible. 

Not only are you donating to the program - you are also challenging us to be the best we can be on the field. If we do not meet or improve on our 2013 results, your name will be entered into a draw for a surprise give-away for your 2014 contribution.

To join the Score-a-Thon, click here!


We're just weeks away from season opening kick-off on our home turf. Let's go Cougars!

2013-2014 Award Winners

2013-2014 Women's Soccer Award Recipients

Defender of the Year - Reaghan Zilkie
Attacker and MVP of the Year - Kelsey Kinzner

Cougars Welcome New Team Manager

The Cougars are excited to welcome new team manager, Jennifer Brading!

Jennifer is an East Coaster through and through, recently making her home in Calgary. She fell in love with the game of soccer at age 13 and has played ever since for teams in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia and now Alberta.

She has dabbled in coaching soccer at the youth level, with Special Olympics, and at an international soccer camp. She was captain/manager of her last squad in Halifax and looks forward to being part of the Cougars women's soccer program.

Welcome to the squad, Jennifer!

Cougars Volunteer at Local Preschool

As student athletes, we love getting involved in the community and sharing our knowledge and love of the game with others. From July 21 – 25 some members of the team volunteered with Oaks and Acorns Montessori Preschool to work with the kids, ages 3-5.

The Cougars took the kids through some basic drills and then some games to put their skills to the test!

Matthew vs. “Big Bailey” ran the ultimate race. Matthew won!

Shout out to the following Cougars for volunteering their time to mentor some future soccer stars: Deeks, Bailey, Maria, Bloom, Glenna, Meghan and Tianna

THANK YOU!

The MRU Cougar's women's soccer team would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who supported our first silent auction fundraiser in May!

Friends, family and fans all came out to Aussie Rules for a night of heated bidding, dueling pianos, and impromptu dance parties (more specifically, Nav and her dougie skills).

The event was a huge success. The funds raised will be used towards creating an annual training program for the team, helping us take our game to the next level.

A special thank you to the many businesses and individuals who generously donated items to make the event possible:

• Earl's Dalhousie
• Canadian Natural Resources
• Leasa Renae Salons
• Newton's Fine Dry Cleaning
• Heritage Park
• Alanti Hair Group
• Original Joe's Sundance
• Hotshop
• NSD Sports and Fitness
• Vitality Fitness
• Gibson Energy
• Fisher's Soccer Shack
• YMCA
• Lynx Ridge Golf Club
• Brad Werenka Hockey School
• Cavalia
• Cindy Mairs
• Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club
• Elbow River Casino
• Country Hills Landmark Cinema
• Country Hills Boston Pizza
• Country Hills Fabutan
• Mission Fitness
• Icon Orthodontics
• Jubilations Dinner Theatre
• Goodlife Fitness
• Nick's Steakhouse and Pizza
• Westside Recreation
• Vergie Speed
• Moksha Yoga
• Canada Sports Hall of Fame
• Back and Body Health
• Bow Cycle
• Calaway Park
• Spruce Meadows
• Best Buy
• The Shooting Edge
• The Calgary Stampede
• Mount Royal Recreation
• Heavens Fitness
• Eye Candy
• Wildrose Brewery
• Capture the Flag
• Moxies Westhills
• Westhills Cinema
• Spa Lady
• St. Vincent de Paul School
• CSN
• Shakers Family Fun Center
• John Deere
• Mastermind Toys
• Tipperary's Pub Group
• Fragments Hair Design
• Crowfoot Liquor
• Pro Am Sports
• Amec Oil Sands
• Lynda Dagenais
• Virgin Radio
• Weatherford
• Sit Happens
• TF Energy Solutions

And thank you Aussie Rules for hosting the night!

We are incredibly thankful to have so many amazing supporters!

Annual Mount Royal Cougar Classic

The snow has melted and the sun is shining (well, sometimes), which means it's that time of year again - time for the MRU Cougar Classic Golf Tournament!

Every year the Cougar Classic is held in support of student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Student-athletes and their coaches volunteer at the tournament, guiding on-course activities throughout the day. Proceeds from the Cougar Classic go directly to the student-athletes, helping them achieve both their athletic and academic goals.

Wondering how you can get involved?
Each MRU sports team needs a team of four to represent them on the course. In addition to representing Cougars women's soccer, you will also be eligible to win a number of prizes including a 2014 Corporate Pinebrook annual membership!

There's even a PRIME RIB dinner included!

Registration is open! Sign up your team now!

Call: 403-440-6516

Visit: mrucougars.com

Pinebrook Golf and Country Club

Monday, August 25

Registration Fees: $250/golfer, $220/alumni

Includes 18 holes of golf with power cart, tee gift, on-course lunch and dinner

Schedule for the tournament:

1:00 p.m. Registration
1:30 p.m. Warm up
2:30 p.m. Shotgun Start
Modified best-ball (shamble) format
6:30 p.m. Cocktails
7:00 p.m. Banquet and awards

2014 Mother's Day Run & Walk

For the second year in a row, the MRU Cougars women's soccer team will be participating in the Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run & Walk on Sunday, May 11^th.  A handful of the Cougars entered the 10k run last year, with some players looking to set a new best time, and others just hoping to cross the finish line!

This year, the team has decided to run on behalf of Luci Tansley’s family friend, Rochelle.

Rochelle, a gym teacher, has been battling brain cancer for the past year. The Cougars are running in honor of Rochelle and the example she sets for the importance of physical activity and education.

Money raised from the run will go towards the Forzani Foundation and the Calgary Health Trust.

The team hopes to raise $500 in honor of Rochelle. You can donate online here. 

Team MRU will also be running alongside some very special people this Sunday... Some of the player’s moms!

It’s going to be a great morning (fingers crossed the weather holds out). Good luck to everyone running! And if you feel like the finish line is too far away, just think about the fantastic breakfast that waits for you afterwards (oh, and how awesome you’ll feel accomplishing that 10k)!

2013 run participants

MRU Cougars to gain advantage with VIDSWAP in 2014

The Mount Royal Cougars Women's Soccer program will be utilizing VIDSWAP for the 2014 season.   See the link provided below on some of the program's current features.

We want to thank VIDSWAP for providing us this opportunity.

http://vidswap.com/features