EDMONTON - Joel Flaksman scored early in the second half, and Sjard Strauss kept his sixth clean sheet of the year as the MRU Cougars blanked the Alberta Golden Bears 1-0 in a defensive showdown Sunday afternoon at Foote Field.

It was quite an impressive show of defensive prowess for both sides, with only a combined seven shots on target in the match. MRU moves to 6-1-4 on the year, and move into first place in the Prairie Division with a 2-0 weekend and the Calgary loss earlier today. The Bears slide to 5-4-2, though did take some points this weekend against some tough Calgary sides.

Both keepers were tested early, as just five minutes in Joel Flaksman found his way past the Golden Bears line but his effort was stopped by a leaning Trystan Read. No more than five minutes later, Caden Ruby had a phenomenal individual effort to dribble past two Cougar defenders and have a crack at goal, but Sjard Strauss was there to parry it away. It was a physical but quiet half, as the MRU and Alberta came into the match ranked third and fourth, respectively, in goals allowed, and it was certainly on display in the first 45.

However, just four minutes into the second half, Luka Patik sent a beautiful chipped cross across the box to a running Flaksman who made no mistake this time for his third goal of the season in an impressive effort for a 1-nil lead. The Bears would press for an equalizer for the rest of the half, but the impressive defensive composure from the Cougars prevented any dangerous chances from developing, and held on to the one-goal advantage for the clean sheet victory.

Alberta takes on crosstown rivals MacEwan next Saturday at Foote Field, while the Cougars return home for a two-game set against the Lethbridge Pronghorns and Saskatchewan Huskies.