SASKATOON, Sask. – Despite a spirited second-half push, the Saskatchewan Huskies couldn't climb out of an early hole, falling 2–1 to the visiting Mount Royal Cougars in their 2025 season opener Friday night (Aug. 29) at Griffiths Stadium.

The Canada West fifth-ranked Cougars kept their momentum rolling after back-to-back wins over Alberta and MacEwan, improving to a perfect 3–0 start in Canada West play. For the Huskies, it marks the third straight year they've opened the season 0–1.

In the opening half, Mount Royal struck quickly by capitalizing on a pair of Huskie miscues. In the 12th minute, Kwasi Oteng-Frimpong's sharp-angle effort deflected off a Saskatchewan defender and into the net for an own goal. Just three minutes later, miscommunication between Ethan Cabral and rookie goalkeeper Kieran Behan allowed MRU striker Chanan Chanda to pounce for his third goal of the young season, doubling the Cougars' lead.

Saskatchewan found some footing late in the half, outshooting MRU 3–2, but still trailed 2–0 at the break.

The Huskies clawed back in the 52nd minute when Cabral's run and shot forced a rebound that landed at the feet of second-year striker Kiran Baker, who buried his first career U SPORTS goal to cut the deficit in half.

From there, Saskatchewan pressed hard for an equalizer. The Huskie back line stymied four Cougar corners, while Behan steadied himself to stop both second-half shots he faced. Saskatchewan's best chance to tie came deep into stoppage time, when Cabral's corner found the head of Tao Hein, only for MRU keeper Sjard Strauss to rise up with the decisive save and securing the 2-1 victory.

As the first weekend of Huskie men's soccer continues, Saskatchewan will look to rebound Sunday afternoon (Aug. 31) against the Canada West fourth-ranked Calgary Dinos at Griffiths Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.