Written by Benjamin Berger

REGINA - Anna Purschke's two goals led Mount Royal to a 3-2 victory over the University of Regina women's hockey team at The Co-operators Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Breanne Trotter also scored for MRU as the visitors earned the weekend split. Jenna Merk and Emma Waldenberger replied for the Cougars.

Merk got her first career U SPORTS goal, scoring shorthanded 4:22 into the first period. A Mount Royal defender mishandled the puck and Merk beat Zoe De Beauville with a high wrist shot. Mount Royal answered back midway through the period as a falling Purschke batted the puck into the back of the net. Trotter and Daria O'Neill picked up assists on the goal.

After a scoreless second period, Trotter came out of the corner and cut across the crease out-waiting Morgan Baker before lifting it into the back of the net. Megan Carver earned an assist on the marker. 

Purschke collected her second goal of the night unassisted and shorthanded. The third-year forward beat a Regina defender and got a breakaway beating Baker with a quick high wrist shot on her glove side. 

Waldenberger responded right away with her second goal of the season. The Cougar captain rushed the puck down the ice and out muscled a Mount Royal defender before dragging the puck across the crease and tucking it in behind De Beauville. Tamara McVannel and Jaycee Magwood collected assists on the play. 

Regina pulled Baker with 1:52 left in the third and kept the play in Mount Royal's zone but could not capitalize. 

De Beauville made 17 saves for her first win of the season. Baker also stopped 17 shots in her first game of the season. 

Next weekend Regina heads to Lethbridge to take on the 1-1 Pronghorns. While Mount Royal hosts the 1-1 UBC Thunderbirds.