Doubleday becomes south division all-time leading scorer; team finishes 10-0

It was a record-setting weekend on the pitch, as striker Gillian Doubleday etched her name among the ACAC greats, registering six goals to become the south divisions all-time leading goal scorer with 48 career goals.

Doubleday, originally starred with the Cougars in 2003-04 as well as in 2005-06, before joining the SAIT Trojans in 2007-08.

During her time with Mount Royal, Gillian accumulated an outstanding 24 goals in only 23 games, as well as registering four goals in seven games in her time with the Trojans.

This season, the talented striker has been on a mission, scoring goals like never before, tallying 20 markers in only ten games, an MRU single season record.

Versus the Lakeland Rustlers on Saturday, Gillian was in prime form, finding the back of the net five times in a 9-0 Cougars win.

(Doubleday (left) is now the ACAC's south division all-time leading goal scorer with 48)

Janelle Carbert opened the scoring in the 14th minute to get the Cougars on the board, before Doubleday followed up adding goals in the 26th and 32nd minute of the first half to give the Cougs’ the 3-0 lead.

The second-half the Cougars continued to white wash the Rustlers, sharing the ball with remarkable precision and one touch passes, limiting the Rustlers offensive opportunities and creating a bevy of their own.

Taking complete control over the game, the Cougars added six more goals including a trio of markers by Doubleday, as well as singles by Meghan MacDonald, Kim Nielsen and Brittney Ahearn.

Kelsey Marklund and Ainsley Cardoso-Wagner split halves in the shutout victory.

With a 9-0 record heading into Sunday’s regular season finale, the Cougars looked to keep the perfect season intact when they squared off with the Red Deer Queens.

Only one time in the history of the women’s soccer program has the team ended the regular season with a perfect record, creating a playoff like atmosphere for the clubs final match.

The first-half was a physical battle, with neither team giving an inch. The Cougars however, were able to break through the deadlock with another Doubleday marker just before the half-time whistle to give the Cougars the edge headed into the break.

The second-half continued with the competitive play, with another single goal added onto the scoresheet as Chelsey Ruckdashel, was credited for a deflection own goal off the Red Deer player in the 75th minute of the game.

Head coach Tino Fusco said while the end to the perfect season was great, the team must not get too over confident.

"I cautioned the girls about our attitude finishing 10-0 after the game; a very proud accomplishment especially for our fifth years leaving the program but the playoffs are a
mini-season and we have to take what we learned in these ten games and apply to win the championship. We'll be ready for whomever we face,” said Fusco.

Having earned the number one seed in the south division, the Cougars will advance to next weekend’s ACAC championships, October 22-24th at Edmonton’s Concordia University.

The Cougars will earn a bye to Saturday’s semi-final where they will take on the winner of the NAIT vs. Red Deer match at 12:00 p.m.

Congratulations on a record setting weekend Cougars and best of luck at the ACAC championships!