CALGARY – The Mount Royal University Cougars avenged a season-opening loss on Friday night, upsetting the No. 1-ranked University of Calgary Dinos 2-1 at Dinosaur Field.

The Dinos beat the Cougars 3-0 on opening day back on Sept. 4. Mount Royal was able to learn from that setback and held off the Dinos' attack for the first win over their inner-city rival since joining Canada West in 2012.

The match opened with an even battle throughout the first half of action. Both the Dinos and Cougars could not manage to get on the scoreboard through 45 minutes of play despite 11 shots from the Dinos and four from the Cougars. 

The second half started with a bang as Mount Royal second-year defender Keilyn Stabler netted a fantastic goal to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute. The Cougars would add to their lead in the final 20 minutes as Sydney Danielewicz recorded her fourth goal of the season to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead. 

The Dinos were able to quickly respond as senior forward Kelsie MacDonald gave the Dinos hope and shrunk the deficit to one in the 73rd minute.

Mount Royal was able to hold strong and fend off the Dinos' final push to capture a 2-1 victory over their crosstown rival.

The Dinos were able to put constant pressure on the Cougars through 90 minutes. Mount Royal goalkeeper Katrina Greenlay put on a stellar performance as the Dinos outshot the Cougars 23-7.

Calgary slips to 4-1 on the season with the setback, while the Cougars pick up a key victory and move to a 2-3 record.

The Crowchild Classic rematch is set to take place Saturday at 5 p.m. at Dinosaur Field.