CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos (3-3-3) men's soccer team will match up against their crosstown rivals the Mount Royal University Cougars (7-0-2) at the Dinosaur field.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday night on Dinos turf where the team is looking to make the season 1-1 versus the cougars.
FIVE THINGS TO KNO
1. CROWCHILD CLASSIC – Saturday will mark the 20th meeting between the two rival schools separated by only a few miles. The two teams met earlier this year on Sept. 3 at MRU's Stadium Field – a 2-1 Cougar win. That marked the first win by Mount Royal in the annual series since 2019. Calgary still owns a 9-4-6 all-time record against their crosstown rival.
2. CLIMBING THE CHARTS – Calgary keeper
Jake Ruschkowski is now tied for third in Canada West history in career games played after last weekend's 56th and 57th appearances in net. That comes just one week after establishing the new standard in Dinos history for games played and career saves. The Calgary Foothills product has turned away an incredible 280 shots in his career – just four saves away from the second most in Canada West history
3. PEEK AT THE STANDINGS – With the calendar turning to October, the Dinos have just five regular season contests left on the schedule. Looking at the Canada West standings sees Calgary sitting third in the Prairie division with a 3-3-3 mark – two points shy of Alberta for second place and two ahead of MacEwan, currently in fourth. The top-four teams in each division advance to postseason play.
4. ABOUT THE OPPONENT – The Cougars currently sit atop the standings in the Canada West Prairie division and are ranked No. 4 in U SPORTS. MRU is still undefeated on the season, with seven wins and two ties through nine games, including a 1-0 road win over Victoria last Sunday
5. LEADING THE NATION – Fourth-year forward Mohamed El Gandour has been a one-man wrecking ball for Mount Royal this season, racking up eight goals and four assists for 12 points through the team's first nine games. That assist total ranks tied for the top spot in all of Canada, while he also ranks second in points and third in goals.
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