Cougars survive PK thriller to reach CW Final

CALGARY – The Mount Royal Cougars are heading back to the Canada West men’s soccer final after one of the most dramatic matches in program history — a 3-3 draw with the Victoria Vikes that ended in a marathon penalty shootout Saturday at MRU Field #2.

In a game that had everything — goals, grit, and goalkeeping heroics — Cougars keeper Sjard Strauss became the hero, stopping one penalty before scoring the winner himself to send Mount Royal to the championship match on home turf.

“It’s one of those games you’ll never forget,” said Cougars head coach Ryan Gyaki. “Probably the most exciting game I’ve ever been part of. Credit to Victoria — it was a spirited, amazing match. Sadly, someone has to lose, and we’re super happy it went our way.”

The Prairie Division champion Cougars and Pacific Division runner-up Vikes traded punches from the opening whistle. Alex Moody gave Victoria an early lead in the 17th minute, finishing a slick give-and-go with Yassin Guitouni.

Mount Royal responded immediately — just 60 seconds later — when Jonathan Walter’s free kick found Alex Kemsley, who flicked a header across goal for Chanan Chanda to nod home the equalizer.

Chanda struck again in the 30th minute, chipping past Vikes keeper Callum Weir for his second of the match and a 2-1 Cougars lead. But the advantage was short-lived, as Matteo Hilton capitalized on a broken play inside the box to tie the game 2-2 just three minutes later.

After a breathless first half, Hilton put Victoria back in front in the 60th minute, firing a low shot just beyond the reach of Strauss to make it 3-2.

The Cougars kept pressing but couldn’t find the breakthrough — until the dying seconds. In the 90th minute, Josh Flaksman buried a rebound into the bottom corner to level the score at 3-3 and send the semifinal into extra time.

Both teams had chances in the added periods, but defenses held firm. Strauss made key stops, while Kemsley and Clement Guay turned in crucial blocks to keep the Vikes out.

With nothing to separate the sides after 120 minutes, the semifinal went to penalties — for the second straight match for Victoria. After a tense series of conversions, Weir sent his attempt high, leaving Strauss to seal it. The Cougars’ keeper stepped up and calmly slotted home the decisive goal to ignite celebrations across MRU Field.

“You’re a little more relaxed in that moment,” Gyaki said of the shootout. “All the running and suffering is over — it just comes down to the individual. It’s exciting, and the boys delivered.”

Mount Royal advances to the Canada West final, where they’ll host the UBC Thunderbirds next Saturday at 1 p.m. MT.