Dinos’ defeat Cougars to claim Prairie Crown

By Leigh Patrick with files from Dinos communications, October 19 2025—

The Dinos women’s soccer team secured the Canada West Prairie Division title for the second straight season this weekend with a 1-0 win over the Mount Royal Cougars. With this win, the Dinos remain undefeated and have guaranteed a home Canada West quarterfinal game on Oct. 24, setting them up to continue their undefeated streak at their home stadium. 

The team’s Senior Night took place at McMahon Stadium, and with that in mind, the Dinos were ready to make their mark. The game began with tension as the Cougars entered the field, determined to end the Dinos’ winning streak and secure the Prairie Division title for themselves. If any team in the division had a chance, it would be the Cougars, who were mere points behind the Dinos in the rankings. The stakes were high as the game began.

Focused and in control, the Dinos dominated possession in the Cougars’ half of the field. Their passing was smooth, and they took multiple shots on goal, forcing Cougars keeper Ella Filek to make several saves. Despite the efforts of second-year forward Brooke Batty and third-year midfielder Kaleigh Major, along with a pressing attempt from fourth-year midfielder Sofia DiGiacomo, they couldn’t land a goal. The Dinos’ defence held strong as they ended scoreless at halftime, despite their statistical dominance.

The draw only fueled the fire. The Dinos pressed as a unit, and eight minutes into the second half, a break in the tension came as Major delivered a corner kick that quickly found the head of Batty, who sent it across the face of the net and to the head of DiGiacomo. DiGiacomo used her head to force the ball to find the back of the net in the first and only goal of the night. 

“It was a bit of a relief,” said DiGiacomo. “About 30 minutes left to go, but I think it was a game where we were so dominant. We were in their zone kind of a lot of the game. The goalie made some crazy saves, so it was just a bit of relief and kind of just weighed off the shoulders that now we’re in a good spot and we just got to finish the game” 

The score ignited the final fight, where the Cougars pressed for an equalizer. Still, the Dinos defended their lone goal with determination. In the 70th minute, Dinos keeper, fourth-year Anna Demarbre, made the save that kept the game from turning from triumph to disappointment, securing her fifth shutout win of the season. While the Dinos continued to dictate the game, they were unsuccessful in scoring again as the Cougars’ Filek fought bravely against the attacks sent her way.

When the whistle blew, it was official, Dinos had made McMahon the fortress they set out to in the preseason. 

“We still need to get better. I think we have to be humble enough to understand we’re not a finished product,” said head coach Diogo Raposo. “So we’ll continue to pick out some pieces that we can get better at.” 

Next up

The Dinos face the Cougars again next week as they visit Mount Royal’s home field on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. 

“We have to play at their homes, which will be a little bit different. It’s grass. The pitch is smaller,” reflected Raposo.

With the title secured, the Dinos keep their focus on building their legacy.