EDMONTON – Freshman netminder Connor James continues his
stellar play for Alberta, making eight saves for his second shutout
and fourth win of the season as the No.10 University of Alberta
Golden Bears took a 1-0 decision against the Mount Royal University
Cougars, Sunday afternoon at Foote Field.
For the second-straight game, rookie forward Tyler Graham came
through in a clutch, scoring the game-winner on Sunday to go with
his game-tying goal on Saturday.
Third-year striker Cody Cook was a threat all game, directing
eight shots towards the Golden Bear net and four on goal, while
third-year goalkeeper Kamil Zielinski earned the loss for the
visitors.
It was rookie striker Rory Torrance who had the first great chance
in the game, however, finding himself right in front of James in
the 18th minute, but the Mount Royal game MVP from Saturday's match
fanned on his shot attempt, giving James an easy save for his first
of the game.
Yet the Edmonton native had his work cut out for him, making
multiple stops in the first half to keep the game scoreless,
despite heavy pressure from the Cougars.
Getting some help from the crossbar in the 50th minute on a
25-yard strike from Mount Royal defender Tomas Clancy, James made
his best saves on Cook in the 56th minute with two point-blank
stops, making the first with his left hand and the second with his
legs before Alberta defenders could clear the ball.
The Golden Bears then capitalized on one of their few
opportunities, a goalmouth scramble soon after a Niko Saler corner
kick had the ball make its way to Graham, the rookie potting the
loose ball for the game's only goal and his fourth in five games in
the 63rd minute.
The Cougars continued to apply pressure in the Alberta end,
outshooting the home team 10-3 in the second half, but could not
come up with the equalizer, former Golden Bear Sean Colvin stopped
by James in the 83rd minute before Alberta defenders got in the way
of two more shots by Cook in the final six minutes.
The Golden Bears remain in Edmonton next weekend, but head to
Jasper Place Bowl, the home of Canada West newcomers, the Grant
MacEwan University Griffins. Mount Royal heads out on the road to
square off against the Winnipeg Wesmen.