CALGARY - The University of Victoria Vikes picked up another three points on Sept. 21 after they downed the Mount Royal Cougars 2-1 to improve to a 3-1-0 record in the Canada West. Despite a choppy game in windy conditions, the Vikes prevailed with second-half scoring as the Cougars now drop 2-3-0 in the standings.

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Heavy winds made it difficult for both teams to pick up momentum on the pitch. The Vikes relied on two second-half substitutions to get them on the board as both Cassie Dennis and Allie Wiebe came off the bench to get the job done in a span of seven minutes.

The Cougars did well to fend off the experienced Vikes front line with keeper Kelsey Makrlund posting three saves in the game, while Alyssa Himbeault picked up her first goal of the season only two minutes after the Vikes' opening tally. The Cougars weathered the storm to keep the first half scoreless despite the Vikes taking the shots edge 10-7 in the game.

The opening frame was scoreless, indicative of the flow of play. Both teams struggled to generate possession but on the few opportunities keepers Tanya Jones, for the Vikes, and Marklund for the Cougars, were up to the task. 

"Mount Royal did a good job playing the ball in their back field," said Vikes head coach Tracy David. "We didn't press high enough and didn't win the ball in the important areas of the fied. We had a poor possession game and the wind made it difficult for both teams to get into a rhythm."

All the action was saved for the second half as Dennis, who subbed on after the break, capitalized in the 69th minute after finishing a left-side service from rookie Elise Butler. Dennis tallied her first goal of the season but the Vikes were forced to go back to work almost immediately as Mount Royal's Himbeault buried a shot from 25 yards out  in the 61st to send the game tied 1-1.

The Vikes rebounded well as Wiebe was substituted on and finished an opportunity on her first touch in the game. Midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki sprung Wiebe for the go-ahead goal. Wiebe nearly extended the lead to two only 10 minutes later on a header attempt but her lone goal would stand as the game winner.

With the 2-1 win, the No. 4 Vikes now improve to 3-1-0, while the Cougars drop 2-3-0. Up next, the Vikes will travel to play the Alberta Pandas, a program where David spent 16 years as head coach, while the Cougars will host the Fraser Valley Cascades. The game will be streamed live at http://canadawest.tv

"Our players came off the bench and played really, really well for us today," added David. "Our back four also played well but we have to be better for tomorow. We know that."