Ruwaida Rehman; Dinos Communications
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos opened their 2017 season with a tight loss to the defending U SPORTS champion UBC Thunderbirds by a 1-0 score Saturday at Hawkings Field.
The first game of the season consisted of numerous penalty corners with equal aggression from both teams.
First year student, Margaret Pham of UBC's Thunderbirds scored the winning and only goal of the game through a penalty corner within the 26th minute of the match.
The Dinos team captain, Marion Arnott did a good job in defending many attempted goals by the T-Birds during the first half of the match. Along with the saves of goalkeeper Madison Arbuckle, the duo was a bright spot for the Dinos on opening day.
A strong start from the Dinos to the second half of the game was seen through the players increased defence mechanisms. Shortly after the second half begun, Dinos defender/forward Sabrina Wong made an impressive full force attempt through a penalty shot from the centre back of the field. However, the T-Birds took over rapidly, rebounding the ball towards the net of the Dinos.
During the 50th minute of the match, a penalty shot from the T-Birds was quickly overcome the following minute by another penalty shot by Sabrina Wong which just missed the left side of the UBC goal.
UBC's Hannah Eborall exercised another powerful penalty corner during the 57th minute of the match, but the Dinos were able to sweep it away.
Minutes before the end of the match, Dinos forward Danica Heath attempted a strong goal into the net of the T-birds with the ball being very close to the net but was overcome by their defenders.
Head coach Peter Taylor remarked, "The first half was tough as the girls were nervous but the second half was a lot better and they showed more. It was a very close match overall. For it being a first game, I am pleased because I know they will play better later on in the season."
The Dinos will take on the Thunderbirds again on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Hawkings Field.
-UC-
Photo by David Moll