CALGARY – Trinity Western hit the ice against Mount Royal at the Flames Community Arena on Friday, losing 8-1.
 
TWU (0-3-0) couldn't hold off the speedy MRU Cougars (2-0-1) who were able to constantly create chances against a young, but promising group of Spartans.
 
The first period saw a quick start from the home team as MRU was able to apply pressure against first-year goaltender Mabel Maltais (Edmonton), and the defensive group of the Spartans.

Though the shots were heavily stacked in MRU's favour, Mabel Maltais was superb once again. Maltais, who excelled in TWU's Oct. 15^th home opener, was able to resume her form as much as she could against MRU, who was playing in their own home opener on Friday. The first-year goaltender was able to hold the Cougars off enough to keep the game within reach.
 
The second period saw Ryleigh White (Warman, Sask.) score from the point to beat MRU's goaltender for the first time of the night. White pounced on a loose puck just inside MRU's defensive zone, rifling it past the MRU goaltender to give the Spartans some hope.
 
After White's goal, MRU turned the jets back on to cruise to victory against the Spartans.

NOTABLE

• TWU head coach Jean Laforest was back at his former home rink, the Flames Community Arena. Laforest coached MRU's men's hockey team for three seasons, helping the Cougars make their transition from the ACAC to U SPORTS.
• Ryleigh White scored the first goal at the collegiate level on Friday. The skilled rookie defender has had a solid start to the season, making the best of her chance.

QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Jean Laforest
"The score was very lopsided, but there were some good things on the side of execution. We're trying to change some of our defensive habits, and I saw the girls do a good job in carrying that out.
 
"Not the score we would've liked, but it's not going to be an easy process. We've played some really good teams so far, but work ethic and execution are going key for us to compete at this level."

UP NEXT
The Spartans stay in Calgary to play MRU at the Flames Community Centre on Saturday (3p.m. MT)

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 29 Canada West team championships.

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