Kellen Forrest; Dinos Communications
CALGARY – On the last day of September, that weather wise felt more like the last day of November, the University of Calgary Dinos and UBC Thunderbirds played a back and forth affair, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Hawkings Field.
This result was the best outcome for a hardworking Dinos squad since a 1-1 draw at Victoria Oct. 7, 2012 and displays the growth of the program under head coach Peter Taylor.
Right from the get-go, the Thunderbirds came out strong, gaining a number of good scoring chances in the first 5 minutes of the opening half. Izzy Fraser and Alix Vanry were dangerous all game, giving the Dinos defenders all sorts of trouble.
However, the Dinos would weather the early storm, and find away to open the scoring and get out to an early lead for the first time season. A beautiful cross would find Meghan Norlander wide open right in front of net, and she would make no mistake, hammering it home to put the Dinos up 1-0, a lead they would take into halftime.
Once again, the Thunderbirds would start the half strong, with this strong start leading to their first goal of the game off a penalty corner. Co-captain Emily Martin would deflect one home to tie the game at 1-1.
Rather than faltering further after giving up a goal, this Dinos squad came right back with a beautifully-executed penalty corner of their own to regain the lead. Janelle Rice would deflect a shot from the top of the circle into the bottom right corner, giving the home side a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute.
Trailing late, the Thunderbirds would press hard, causing the Dinos to take back-to-back cards in the 58th and 60th minutes, leaving them short two players. UBC would take advantage, and off of another penalty corner, Thora Rae would find the back of the net off of a deflection in the 60th minute.
Dinos goalkeeper Ingrid Ulrich made a number of miraculous saves throughout the game to help her team to a point in the standings. These saves included a great blocker save in the last 5 minutes of the second half; keeping the score deadlocked at 2.
Even though his team did not get the full 3 points, coach Taylor was extremely happy for his team. "They put in an amazing amount of effort, I'm really happy with how the game went. They deserved this."
Halfway through the Canada West season, the Dinos now sit in 3rd at 0-3-1, while UBC falls to second place with a record of 1-0-3.
The Dinos will now enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend off, before heading out to Victoria for back-to-back games against the first-place Vikes.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Half
24' CGY – Meghan Norlander FG, 1-0 CGY
2nd Half
50' UBC – Emily Martin PC, 1-1
55' CGY – Janelle Rice PC, 2-1 CGY
60' UBC – Thora Rae PC, 2-2
GOALKEEPERS
CGY – Ingrid Ulrich 70 MP, 2 GA
UBC – Rowan Harris 35 MP, 1 GA
UBC – Gabby Switzer 35 MP, 1 GA
Cards
58' – CGY – Meghan Norlander, GC
60' – CGY – Emily Smith, YC
-UC-
Photo by David Moll