EDMONTON – Mount Royal (10-2-1) came out of the blocks quick on Saturday afternoon, with a big first half powering a 5-0 win over the Pandas (2-9-2) at Foote Field.

While the shot attempt count ended even at 14-14 at the end of the game, and the Pandas doubled up their opponent in terms of corner kicks, it was the Cougars who had the superior finishing ability as they more than made the most of their chances.

Knowing that a win would guarantee them a top-two seed in the Prairie Division and homefield advantage in the Canada West Quarterfinals, the visitors came out firing with a quartet of well-worked goals in the first half.

The star attacking trio of Gabrielle Linford, Tamara Djurisic and Brooke Miller combined for all four goals, each of them leaving Tessa Borrelli with little chance in the Alberta net. Djurisic had perhaps the sweetest highlight of the opening half, taking the ball just outside of the top left corner of the Pandas' penalty area and lofting it over Borrelli and into the side netting at the far post.

That made it 2-0 MRU within the first 15 minutes, and while the Pandas had a chance to cut into the deficit shortly afterwards from an Andie Shimoda header attempt, the first-year forward was unable to direct the ball on goal. 

The third goal really broke the game open, coming when Miller played an incisive ball to Linford who finished off the play for her second goal of the day. Miller then got one for herself on the final play before the halftime whistle, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and placing it into the bottom corner.

Determined to try and make the most of the day, the Pandas came out strong to begin the second half as they controlled more of the ball and got into some advantageous positions in the attacking third. But Ella Filek stood tall in the MRU goal, making five saves in the final 45 minutes, with four of them coming at the expense of Erin Hope who came very close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

Unfortunately, the only goal in the second period came from the road team, as Linford finished off her first career hat trick on a counterattack, after her initial shot was stopped well by Borrelli. 

The Pandas now turn their attention to Senior Day on Sunday afternoon, where they will take on the top-seeded Calgary Dinos at noon. The Dinos are coming off their first loss of the season, as they fell 2-1 to MacEwan in their own Saturday matinee.