THIS WEEK IN COUGAR ATHLETICS

Home Events – Friday
Men’s Hockey – vs. Saskatchewan, 7:00 p.m. (Ochapowace First Nation)
Men’s Hockey – Calgary vs. Manitoba, 7:00 p.m. (The Co-operators Centre)

Home Events – Saturday
Cross Country – Cougar Trot, 11:45 a.m. (Douglas Park)
Men’s Hockey – Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan, 12:00 p.m. (The Co-operators Centre)
Men’s Hockey – vs. Calgary, 3:00 p.m. (The Co-operators Centre)

Away Events – Friday (all times MDT)
Women’s Hockey – vs. MacEwan, 1:00 p.m. (Leduc, Alta.)

Away Events – Saturday (all times MDT)
Women’s Soccer – at Winnipeg, 5:30 p.m. (Winnipeg, Man.)
Rams Football – at UBC, 6:00 p.m. (Vancouver, B.C.)
Women’s Hockey – vs. Red Deer College, 8:00 p.m. (Leduc, Alta.)

Away Events – Sunday (all times MDT)
Women’s Hockey – vs. SAIT, 9:00 a.m. (Leduc, Alta.)
Women’s Soccer – at Manitoba, 4:30 p.m. (Winnipeg, Man.)

Men’s Hockey – The Cougars will open their non-conference schedule this weekend as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Calgary are all in town for the Cougar Summer Challenge. Regina will battle the Huskies on Friday night at Ochapowace First Nation, while Calgary and Manitoba square off in Regina. Saskatchewan will face the Bisons on Saturday at noon at The Co-operators Centre before the Cougars play the Dinos at 3 p.m.

Cross Country – The Cougars open the 2016 season this weekend with their home meet, as they host the Cougar Trot on Saturday beginning at 11:45 a.m. in Douglas Park. Adriana Davis leads the returners from the women’s team, while Marc Turmel returns after being the men’s team top runner in 2015 and Adam Strueby is expected to be back at full strength after missing almost all of last season due to injury. The Cougars and Saskatchewan will both enter teams in the University races, which begin at 12:15 (women) and 12:45 (men).

Rams Football – The Rams scored two touchdowns in the final 1:35 to score a come-from-behind 41-38 win over No. 8 Manitoba in their home opener last Thursday at Mosaic Stadium. Noah Picton was named the Canada West Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive time on Monday after setting school records in completions (40) and attempts (60), setting a new career high with 499 passing yards, and matching his career high with four touchdown passes. The Rams will face UBC this Saturday in a battle of 1-1 teams. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time (620 CKRM, www.canadawest.tv).

Women’s Soccer – The Cougars scrapped their way to a draw in their Canada West opener at home, tying Fraser Valley 1-1 thanks to a Brianna Wright goal in the 30th minute. Regina played No. 4-ranked Trinity Western tough the following day, but fell 1-0 after a second-half goal by the Spartans. The Cougars will hit the road this weekend to take on Winnipeg (1-0-1) and Manitoba (1-1-0) on Saturday and Sunday.

Women’s Hockey – The Cougars opened their exhibition schedule last weekend, defeating the Notre Dame Hounds 6-0 at Ochapowace First Nation. Newcomers Lilla Carpenter-Boesch, Elise Endicott and Sam Geekie all scored for the Cougars, while Bailey Braden, Jaycee Magwood and Emma Waldenberger also found the net. Regina will attend the MacEwan Invitational Tournament this weekend in Leduc, Alta., and will square off against MacEwan, Red Deer College, and SAIT.

(Courtesy Braden Konschuh)