DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics

A second-half surge sent the Mount Royal Cougars into the off-season on a winning note and spoiled Senior Night for the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Kaitlyn Clarke scored what proved to be the game-winner on a penalty from the spot in the 78th minute and the Cougars came away with a 3-1 Canada West conference women's soccer victory Saturday night at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.

Both teams had been eliminated from playoff contention with results the night previous, but the Cougars (2-10-2) were able to celebrate a result on the last match day of the season.

"It's mixed feelings. I think our whole season was ups and downs," MRU head coach Tino Fusco said. "We wanted a better result (Friday), but we challenged the players to finish high and we did that today.

"At some point we had to get out of the pit and that's where the challenge came at half time. We were down 1-nil and the expectation was just to play simple and I think when we did that in the second half we were able to generate more."

Janai Martens tied the game in the 61st minute for Mount Royal, which also got a goal from Sharnae Sedres in the 82nd minute to round out the scoring.

Shae-Lynn Dodds, in the 43rd, had the goal for the Wesmen (1-13-1). Dodds finished the season with six goals, one shy of the program-record seven she scored in 2018. 

The Wesmen honoured fifth-year seniors Katia Occhino, Nicole Redekopp and Nicole Seavers, each of whom played all five years in Winnipeg kits, as well as fifth-year transfer Olivia Orman and fourth-year senior Jamila Calvez in a ceremony prior to the game. Calvez is graduating and unlikely to return in 2020. 

"I think, to be fair, both teams were a bit flat," Wesmen head coach Amy Anderson said. "Our focus slipped a bit today, which is too bad. You have to be consistent and you can't just come out just in the first half. I think we were pretty deflated from (Friday). I think at the beginning we did well and we went at Mount Royal, but I think we were a bit flat."

Taryn Raabe made five saves to finish the season with 113, the fifth-highest single-season mark all-time in Canada West and third all-time in Wesmen history.

Katrina Greenley made four saves before giving way to Miah Godek at halftime. Godek made one save. 

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