Welcome back, Cougars
Fill the stands and support student-athletes representing MRU
— Mount Royal University | Posted: August 22, 2022
After a long off season and much behind-the-scenes work, the University sports season is set to begin. The 2021/2022 sports season was one for the ages for Mount Royal University Cougars Athletics with a historic medal in women’s volleyball and championship standings in men’s soccer and women's hockey (see below for more), plus 12 league awards presented to select players.
Momentum is everything and the Cougars will look to set the tone early during pre-season competition. Each team is continuing to build and work hard to take MRU’s varsity athletics program to new heights.
Join Cougar’s women’s soccer coach Tino Fusco and squad on Wednesday, Aug. 31, on the MRU soccer field as they host their first home game of the season. The Cougars face division rival, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
The men’s soccer team, led by Ryan Gyaki, will open the season at home on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m against Crowchild Classic rival University of Calgary Dinos.
Show up early, wear your blue and fill the bleachers for your Cougars.
Watch this video that embodies the pride, determination and focus that is a hallmark of not only student-athletes, but of all Mount Royal University students, faculty and staff.
Dates to circle in your calendar
Students, faculty and employees can add each Cougars sports schedule to their calendar and show up to home games in support.
Men’s basketball
Women’s basketball
Men’s volleyball
Women’s volleyball
Must-see rookies
Also looking to factor into the mix this year is an impressive rookie class. This season's notable newbies come to MRU from locations across North America and Europe. These fantastic athletes will be looking to make their mark and help their teams achieve greatness.
Jenessa Ramsoomair; women's basketball
Transfer from the University of Alberta Pandas
Sam Barnie; men's basketball
G.P. Vanier Towhees, Courtenay, British Columbia
Jordan Grundl; women's soccer
Bayern Munchen Football Club, Munich Germany
Alex Kemsley; men's soccer
Clevedon Town Football Club, Clevedon, U.K.
Julia Capone; women's volleyball
Transfer from Iowa State University
Tate Howell; men's volleyball
King's Volleyball Club, Red Deer
Ava Metzger; women's hockey
Swift Current Wildcats
Blake Stevenson; men's hockey
Calgary Hitmen
2021-2022 recap
Women’s volleyball earn first U SPORTS medal in program history
The Cougars women's volleyball team made program history on March 27 and were awarded Mount Royal’s first-ever U SPORTS championship medal. Although the Trinity Western Spartans defeated the Cougars to win gold, the Cougars' put up a valiant effort and brought home a silver medal.
The Cougars were led offensively by Haley Roe who had a game-high 15 spikes while Nyadholi Thokbuom stood tall for the team with a total of seven blocks.
Since entering Canada West in 2012/2013, the Cougars women’s volleyball program had not yet placed in a U SPORTS championship.
Cougars women’s hockey finish first overall in Canada West regular season play
The Cougars women’s hockey team clinched first place in Canada West regular season play on Feb. 19, with a record of 16 wins, two losses and a tie. Forward Courtney Kollman led the team in scoring with eight goals in 19 regular season games, earning a sixth-place position in the Canada West points race. While Kollman was a standout, it was a team effort that contributed to the scoring power of the team.
Credit can also be given to the Cougars' netminders Zoe De Beauville and Kaitlyn Ross for the team's impressive finish. De Beauville finished second among all Canada West goalies with eleven wins, no losses and two ties in 13 games. Ross led goaltenders overall with five wins, two losses and no ties in six games. Combined, De Beauville and Ross provided a strong option in net.
This was the first time in history that the team earned first-place in the conference regular season play.
Men’s soccer wins bronze in Canada West
The Cougars men's soccer team completed an incredible season on Nov. 7, earning bronze in the Canada West men's final four.
Finishing the regular season with six wins, one loss and three draws, the Cougars easily captured first place in the Central Division.
Forward Moe El Gandour had an incredible season, earning 800 minutes of playing time across nine games; scoring eight goals and contributing three assists; placing him first overall among Canada West goal keepers.
Goalkeeper Sterling Kerr also supported the team's efforts and finished with a solid 1.14 goals-against average and .771 save percentage in seven games.
League awards
Multiple players were recognized with various Canada West and U SPORTS awards:
Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Janai Martens, women's soccer
Canada West Men's Soccer Player of the Year; U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian: Moe El Gandour
U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian: Justin Anderson-Louch, men’s soccer
U SPORTS All-Rookie Team: Caden Rogozinski, men’s soccer
U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian: Quinn Pelland, women’s volleyball
Canada West Women's Hockey Player of the Year; U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian: Tianna Ko, women’s hockey
Canada West Women's Hockey Goaltender of the Year; U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian: Zoe De Beauville, women’s hockey
Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Anna Purschke, women’s hockey
Canada West Women's Hockey Coach of the Year: Scott Rivett
Canada West Men's Hockey Player of the Year; U SPORTS Men's Hockey Player of the Year; U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian: Nolan Yaremko
Canada West Men's Hockey Rookie of the Year; U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian; U SPORTS All-Rookie Team: Riley Sawchuk
Canada West Men's Hockey Coach of the Year: Bert Gilling