Soccer crushes crosstown rivals

Cougar Women

With the only loss of last year’s regular season coming at the hands of the SAIT Trojans, the Mount Royal University Cougars women’s soccer team had revenge on their minds as they squared off against the Trojans for the first time this season.

The two teams had yet to meet since October 10th, 2009, when the Trojans handed the Cougars their first regular season defeat in over four years, as they team had compiled an almost surreal 33-0-5 record in four seasons to that point.

But it was all washed away on that fateful day, as the Trojans outplayed and outhustled the Cougars on their way to a 1-0 win.

Determined to make amends for last year’s stunning loss, the Cougars looked like a team possessed, taking no mercy on their opponent as they hammered the Trojans 11-1.

The Cougars flashed their offensive prowess early, scoring the first goal of the game only seven minutes into the match, one of three markers leading into the half.

After the break, the Cougars offence simply wore down the Trojans as they were able to outrun the Trojans ineffective offside trap.

The trap, which consists of defenders stepping higher up the field than the attackers at just the right moment, leaving the attackers in an offside position just before their teammates pick out a pass to them, can be an effective strategy if executed properly.

However, if not used correctly the tactic can be an easy way for defenders to get burned, where the slightest error can result in a breakaway.

Though the Cougars were caught on nearly 20 offside’s during the day, the Cougars were able to capitalize on numerous breakaway and two on one opportunities as they connected on eight more goals in the second half alone.

Gillian Doulbeday (4), Meghan MacDonald (2), Lesley Oosterhoff (2), Ashley Dixon (2), and a single marker from Samantha Humphrys paced the Cougs’ offensive attack.

The Trojans lone marker came late in the match off a corner kick taken by defender Morgann Schnell, who was able to send a cross to Lisa Kerr in the box. Kerr was able to fire a shot which eluded Cougars goalkeeper Kelsey Marklund for the Trojans only goal on the game.

Head Coach Tino Fusco was more than happy with the way the team played, but says there is always room for improvement.

“The offsides are a definite concern for me moving forward, and something we’ll look to address at our next training session,” said Fusco. “I told the team after the match; we still haven't played a complete 90 minutes in four matches at our standard...we're close but close doesn't win championships.”

The Cougars next square off versus the Red Deer College Queens on Wednesday, as they make up for their cancelled match from Sunday, September 19th.

The team will then be at it again on Saturday, October 2nd versus the Medicine Hat College Rattlers Game time for Wednesday is 5:00 p.m., while Saturday’s match starts at 12:00 p.m.

Cougars Men

After a rough and tumble match in last year’s ACAC championship, more fireworks could be expected as the Cougar men and SAIT Trojans got ready for action.

With no love lost between the two teams, Saturday’s affair was just another chapter in the usually chippy and hotly contested matches as six yellow cards and one red card were earned between the two clubs.

Prior to last season’s gold medal defeat, the Trojans hadn't lost a regular-season game since September, 2008, going 21 games without a loss.

However, on Saturday the Cougars were able to squash that streak as they cruised to an easy 5-0 victory.

Already up 2-0 at the half, on goals by Arthur Paszkowski and Charlie Beaulieu; Mauricio Rosas connected on the first shot of the second frame giving the Cougars an early three goal lead.

Minutes later, defender Juan Median was ejected from the match for an aggressive tackle on Cougars captain Jamie MacDonald, leaving the Trojans with only ten men.

Down a defender, the Cougars were able to cash in on two more opportunities as Brandan Czymoch and Charlie Beaulieu (2) found the back of the Trojans net, giving the Cougars the 5-0 win.

With the 'W', the Cougars improve 3-1 on the season, with a match versus the first place Red Deer College Kings on Wednesday. Game time for the men is at 7:00 p.m.

In addition, the Cougar men will play on Saturday, October 2nd versus the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. Game time is 2:00 p.m. for the weekend contest.