KAMLOOPS – An early goal from the Mount Royal Cougars proved to be the difference as the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's soccer team was unable to find an equalizer in an eventual 2-0 loss in Calgary.
 
A Canada West quarter-final match, the result brought an end to a WolfPack season that saw the team set a program-best mark of six-straight games undefeated to start the season and also qualify for the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
 
"This is a little bittersweet but overall, I'm really happy with the group," said WolfPack head coach John Antulov. "A lot of new young players came in and asserted themselves as members of the program, really set us up well for the future."
 
The WolfPack controlled play for a vast majority of the game but were unable to create any real clear-cut scoring chances on the day. Marco Favaro finished the game with three shots on net while Jackson Gardner made six saves in the loss.
 
The Cougars opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a tally that came against the run of play. A TRU turnover allowed the Cougars to break in on an odd-man rush and Dawid Dudek finished the play for the all-important first goal.
 
From there the WolfPack pressed for an equalizer the rest of the way but were unable to get on the scoreboard before Mount Royal added an insurance marker late.
 
"It was a bit frustrating because I thought we were controlling the ball and holding possession," said Antulov. "We were imposing ourselves on the game and then made one little mistake and they were able to hit us on the counter. From there we were trying to come back from down a goal against a really good side."
 
The 'Pack's best chance came in the 60th minute of play when Dylan Hooper got his head on dangerous corner kick, but his header was driven too close to a grateful Sterling Kerr in the Cougars net.
 
While the 2021 season for the WolfPack may have come to an end at the Canada West quarter-final stage, the team already knows they'll have a shot at winning it all next year when the WolfPack host the U SPORTS Championship tournament at Hillside Stadium.
 
"We are graduating James this year but four key players in Elijah dos Santos, Josh Banton, Jost Hausendorf and Domenico Comita that didn't play this year will be back in the mix, plus other new players we will be bringing in," said Antulov. "It all is bodes well not only for next year but for the next four or five years. Although disappointed, we are really happy with where we are at."