CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team played spoiler, defeating the Mount Royal Cougars 2-0 on Seniors' Day at MRU's Field 2 on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Dinos closed the regular season with eight victories, the most in the Canada West Prairie Division. Both Calgary (8-5-1) and Mount Royal (7-3-4) finished with identical win percentages, .595, with the Cougars earning first place through a tiebreaker.
The match opened with pace and energy. In the ninth minute, Kwasi Oteng-Frimpong broke free after a defensive battle and led a three-on-one rush with Chanan Chanda and Luka Patik. After quick passes from Oteng-Frimpong to Chanda and then to Patik, the final shot was blocked and went over the net.
Three minutes later, Oteng-Frimpong drove down the right wing and crossed into the box, where Josh Flaksman's header attempt deflected just wide.
Calgary produced its first strong chance in the 29th minute when
Efe Udolu-Joshua cut down the left side and fired a low shot, but Cougars goalkeeper Bryce Benton stretched out for the save.
A minute later, Mount Royal earned a free kick just past midfield. The ball was sent into the box, where Tim Beckadahl rose for a header, but his effort was blocked by Dinos goalkeeper
Oliver Allen.
The Dinos continued to press, with
Owen Antoniuk forcing another save from Benton in the 33rd minute. The Cougars responded in the 38th when Joe Green found space and fired a hard shot that missed just wide.
In added time, Antoniuk tested Benton again with a powerful strike, but the keeper stood tall to keep the match scoreless at halftime.
Early in the second half, Calgary broke through. After a foul in the box, Antoniuk stepped up for a penalty kick in the 58th minute, sending the ball low to the left as Benton dove right. The goal, Antoniuk's 10th of the season, gave the Dinos a 1-0 lead.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 79th minute.
Josral Frederick sprinted down the right wing and delivered a sharp cross to
Kundai Dziwa, who buried his first goal of the season into the left corner to make it 2-0.
Calgary held firm defensively to secure the shutout and close out the regular season on a high note.
The Dinos will now travel to Vancouver next weekend for a Canada West quarter-final matchup.
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