Cougars defeat Cascades, securing spot in Canada West Final Four
October 29, 2022
Hosting the University of Fraser Valley Cascades in the Canada West Men's Soccer Quarter-finals, the Mount Royal University Cougars defeated the fourth-place seed 2-1 in double overtime, securing a spot in the Final Four Championship.
Due to the women's soccer quarter-final taking place prior to the men's, there was a severe delay in kick off time, leading to a 4:15 p.m. start. Once the teams were able to get on the field, they settled into the play with MRU taking possession right away. While they were in control of the game, the Cougars kept relatively quiet until the 35th minute where Jonathan Walter took a corner kick that sailed straight across to UFV's crossbar and down, marking MRU's first goal of the game. Not only was it the first goal for the Cougars during this game, but also in the past two games after tying 0-0 in their last two regular season games.The goal from Walter ignited the field, sparking a new sense of optimism in the Cougars.
Moving to the second half, tension started to build. UFV poured on the gas trying to exploit any of MRU's weak points to get in front of the net for an opportunity. UFV and MRU fiercely battled, each earning fouls left and right. Most notably, it was MRU's Caden Rogozinski who was handed a second yellow card and subsequent red in the 64 minute of play.
As time ticked down to the final minutes of the game, UFV continued to press. With just 30 seconds remaining in additional time, UFV's Taylor Richardson found the ball perfectly placed in his feet, sending it past Sterling Kerr's dive to tie the game.
Heading into 15 minutes of overtime, the teams had to regroup. Both UFV and MRU pressed each other going back and forth down the field, but in the end, 15 minutes of overtime was not enough to break the stalemate. When the two teams transitioned to double overtime MRU picked up their pace controlling the game and dominating the field. In the 112 minute, it was a team effort between Miguel Da Rocha and Josh Flaksman to score. Da Rocha made a clean pass above the penalty line to Flaksman who was able to shoot it right past UFV's Jackson Cowx.
With just eight minutes remaining in play, the Cougars were all defence. Controlling the ball as much as they could, the Cougars successfully kept the Cascades at bay for the remaining time, throwing massive cheers of joy in the air when the final whistle blew and the game ended 2-1 for the Cougars.
Now the Cougars await their fate in the Canada West Men's Soccer Final Four matchups where game times and opponents will be determined later this evening.
Due to the women's soccer quarter-final taking place prior to the men's, there was a severe delay in kick off time, leading to a 4:15 p.m. start. Once the teams were able to get on the field, they settled into the play with MRU taking possession right away. While they were in control of the game, the Cougars kept relatively quiet until the 35th minute where Jonathan Walter took a corner kick that sailed straight across to UFV's crossbar and down, marking MRU's first goal of the game. Not only was it the first goal for the Cougars during this game, but also in the past two games after tying 0-0 in their last two regular season games.The goal from Walter ignited the field, sparking a new sense of optimism in the Cougars.
Moving to the second half, tension started to build. UFV poured on the gas trying to exploit any of MRU's weak points to get in front of the net for an opportunity. UFV and MRU fiercely battled, each earning fouls left and right. Most notably, it was MRU's Caden Rogozinski who was handed a second yellow card and subsequent red in the 64 minute of play.
As time ticked down to the final minutes of the game, UFV continued to press. With just 30 seconds remaining in additional time, UFV's Taylor Richardson found the ball perfectly placed in his feet, sending it past Sterling Kerr's dive to tie the game.
Heading into 15 minutes of overtime, the teams had to regroup. Both UFV and MRU pressed each other going back and forth down the field, but in the end, 15 minutes of overtime was not enough to break the stalemate. When the two teams transitioned to double overtime MRU picked up their pace controlling the game and dominating the field. In the 112 minute, it was a team effort between Miguel Da Rocha and Josh Flaksman to score. Da Rocha made a clean pass above the penalty line to Flaksman who was able to shoot it right past UFV's Jackson Cowx.
With just eight minutes remaining in play, the Cougars were all defence. Controlling the ball as much as they could, the Cougars successfully kept the Cascades at bay for the remaining time, throwing massive cheers of joy in the air when the final whistle blew and the game ended 2-1 for the Cougars.
Now the Cougars await their fate in the Canada West Men's Soccer Final Four matchups where game times and opponents will be determined later this evening.