CALGARY, Alta. – The UBCO Heat women's soccer team was eliminated in heart-breaking fashion from the Canada West playoffs on Saturday afternoon as they fell 2-1 to the Mount Royal Cougars in the quarter-finals at MRU Field #2.
 
With the game tied at one late in the second half, Cougars midfielder Darian Pluhator fired a shot from 25 yards out that carried over the head of Heat keeper Talia Gagnon and into the net, giving the hosts the lead and ultimately the win.
 
The match started positively for UBCO as they tangled with their third different Prairie division opponent in the quarter-finals over the last three years. The Heat fired the first three shot attempts of the game, including two on goal, as they established early pressure.
 
On their fourth shot, they were rewarded as Annabelle Walker played a dangerous ball into the box that found its way to Abigail Taneda. The Heat's all-time leader in points turned and put the ball into the open net to give the visitors the lead on the road.
 
The Cougars found their footing as the first half progressed but Gagnon stood tall at every chance, making seven first-half saves to send her team into the break with a 1-0 lead.
 
Early in the second half, UBCO had multiple chances to extend their lead. Maria Georgacacos and Taneda both had opportunities in the opening 25 minutes but Cougars keeper Ella Filek kept the Heat at bay.
 
The Cougars breakthrough came in the 77^th minute off a free kick. Canada West co-leading scorer Tamara Djurisic curled a shot around the Heat wall and past Gagnon to tie the game at one.
 
The goal gave the Cougars life as they proceeded to pepper Gagnon with multiple chances. The fourth-year keeper was successful in making a number of highlight-reel saves before Pluhator's long-range try sealed the victory for Mount Royal.
 
Gagnon finished the match with 11 saves while Filek made six for the Cougars.
 
With the Heat's season coming to an end, the match represents the final game for graduating seniors Taneda, Gagnon, Annika Gross, Sydney Kolodziej, as well as Jaidyn McGrath who missed the quarter-final due to injury.