Cougars Catchup: February 10, 2023

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4

Home Games:

WHKY: SSK (0) at MRU (2)
 
MRU Cougars women’s hockey moved one step closer to the postseason with a huge 2-0 win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
 
Cougars’ goaltender, Kaitlyn Ross backstopped her squad to a shutout victory. She saved all 21 shots she faced for her sixth shutout of the 2022-23 campaign. Her six shutouts rank her second in Canada West.
 
Aliya Jomha got the Cougars first goal midway through the opening period. The Edmonton local found herself all alone in front of the net right off a faceoff. Jomha made a skilled move in tight and slid the puck under Saskatchewan netminder, Camryn Drever.
 
Drever was busy all throughout the game and kept the Huskies in it. Saskatchewan was unable to convert on the chances that they managed in tonight’s matchup.
 
Emma Bergesen made it 2-0 in the second period. Athena Hauck fired a shot from the slot and Bergesen gathered the rebound and tucked it in past Drever. Bergesen added to her already stellar season with a goal in tight.
 
MRU appeared to have made it 3-0 with a goal from Ava Metzger but the officials ruled the Metzger kicked the puck in and waved off the goal. The score remained 2-0.
 
The Cougars were able to hold on and shut down the Huskies despite Saskatchewan pulling the goalie while already on the powerplay. The skater advantage wasn’t enough for the Dogs and MRU secured the victory.
 
The Cougars and Huskies will rematch on Saturday at 6 p.m. for senior night at FCA. Eight graduating Cougars players will be honoured before the final regular season game of the year. Tickets are available here.
 
Player of the game: Kaitlyn Ross

WVB: BDN (0) at MRU (3)

Women’s volleyball put on a show Friday night, with a quick three-set sweep over the Brandon University Bobcats in their first match-up of the weekend; 25-13, 25-13, 25-13. 

The Cougars boasted an incredible start with the Bobcats standing no chance against their powerhouse starting line made of MRU veterans. 

Brandon was slow to connect on the court with one another but began to find their rhythm mid set, putting up five kills while only giving two. It was just too little too late, with the home team taking the first set 25-13. 

Though the team felt the absence of Madison Marshall, Chloe Shum had a huge presence in the second set, accompanied by the strong Mya Morgan in the middle. The women truly stepped up to the occasion and demonstrated the depth of skill on this squad. 

“We are passionate about the game and passionate about each other,” said Shum, today’s player of the game. “We just love each other.” 

Shum finished the night with five kills, three aces and two digs. 

Morgan also had a big night, with a team high 10 kills and three aces of her own. 

The second set was identical to the first, the Cougars taking it quickly 25-13.

Brandon came back in the third, keeping the score tight for the first half of play and forcing MRU to go point for point. Bronwynn Davies-Neir came to life and shifted momentum back towards Mount Royal. 

The game finally saw its end with another 25-13 set. 

MRU and Branon rematch tomorrow night with a 5 p.m. service in Kenyon Court. The Cougars now sit with a 0.762 win percentage on the season before playing their final regular season home game. 

Catch the game on campus or live on Canada West TV. 

Go Cougars.

Player of the game: Chloe Shum

MVB: BDN (0) at MRU (3)

The Mount Royal Cougars host the Brandon Bobcats for their final home games of the regular season this weekend, with an explosive start taking game one in three straight; 25-19, 25-19, 25-20.

It was a rough start for the Cougars despite home court advantage for the first time in three weeks. They could find pockets of success but couldn’t string together a run of points as Brandon’s energy was unmatched off the start.

Chris Byam and Jacob van Geel came in clutch with some power hour kills to catch up from behind. From there the Cougars found their rhythm. 

Although Tom Friesen from the Bobcats gave the Cougars a bit of trouble with 3 kills and 3 digs, MRU managed to take the first set 25-19.

From there MRU had truly taken control of the match. Max Haronga had a big set with three kills and three digs, paired with an electric energy on the floor that kept the squads spirits high. 

The second set felt like deja vu, with another 25-19 win for the Cougars, bringing the lead to 2-0 in the home team’s favour. 

Byam finished the night with player of the game honours, 16 kills and eight digs to his name. 

“It speaks volumes to what we can do as a team,” said Byam. “No matter who is on the court, it’s the same quality of volleyball.”

On the Bobcat side, Friesen and Phillipp Lauter tied as leaders, eight kills a piece followed closely by Max Brook with seven. The visitors really held their own and pushed back in the third, with tight defence coming from libero, Jens Watt. 

The Cougars took the final set in a exhilarating 25-20 final over BDN. 

Brandon falls to 12-9 on the season as playoff grow closer, while MRU improves to 16-5. 

They will rematch tomorrow with a 7 p.m. serve in Kenyon Court. 

Catch the game on campus or live on Canada West TV. 

Go Cougars. 

Player of the game: Chris Byam

Away Games:

WBB: MRU (60) at CGY (70)

MHKY: MRU (3) at SSK (2)