Griffins unable to maintain early lead, conceding three late goals in loss to Mount Royal Cougars
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 3 | 3 |
Team Stats
Mount Royal University
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Mount Royal University |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 3 (2) | 14 (8) |
| Saves | 5 | 1 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 10 |
| Offsides | 4 | 2 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
CALGARY – Things were looking great for the Griffins early in the second half on Sunday.
They scored first on another brilliant highlight-reel play.
They had the defending Canada West silver medalist Mount Royal Cougars bottled up.
Then the adversity showed up as MRU scored two contentious goals on set pieces (the Griffins complained to no avail that both were offside) and another in the run of play within a span of less than 14 minutes to send MacEwan to a 3-1 defeat.
"There were two set pieces, but in the run of play, it was a pretty good effort from the boys," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "Again, we have to learn how to play with the lead – that comes with it as well. But two second phases on set pieces.
"We saw something different in terms of two goals that looked pretty offside. It will be interesting to check the tape on that. But it is what it is. As we learned yesterday, we have to find a way to persevere over some of these hurdles thrown at us. We just have to dig deeper and figure it out."
After a scoreless first half, Ali Yildiz put MacEwan on the board first in the 48th minute when goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka launched a 65-yard bomb behind the Cougars defence, sending the veteran attacker in alone.
GOAL!
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Soccer (@GriffinsMSOC) August 24, 2025
Oleks Popravka's massive kick sends Ali Yildiz in alone for a breakaway finish as @MacEwanGriffins open the scoring vs @MRUCougars in the 48th minute.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/kITia3FbB6
"They were kind of pressing us in Zone 2 a little bit throughout the game," said Loga. "Then they were pressing us higher up the park, so we knew their back line was higher. Oleks saw that and let it go, and Ali recognized it as well, got a hop on it and just finished it beautifully."
With a volley finish, Yildiz recorded his second point of the weekend (after an assist on Saturday at Calgary) and is off to a great start on his fourth Canada West season.
"He's our heartbeat," said Loga. "That's why he's one of our captains. He just plays with so much passion and emotion. He's phenomenal. I hope he can continue this form and get rewarded for it with a playoff berth and hopefully some league accolades because he's definitely well deserving of it."
Chanan Chanda scored twice for MRU, while Finn Marshall netted the game-winner.
The Griffins (0-2-0) will look to rebound in their home opener vs. Alberta next Saturday (2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium).
