CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos swept their crosstown foes as they defeated the Mount Royal Cougars 1-0 at West Varsity Pitch on Oct. 11. 

With the win, the Dinos have solidified their place in the post season with just two games remaining. Should they get at least one point out of their double header with the Lethbridge Pronghorns next week, they will clinch second place and host a playoff game. Lethbridge currently sits in fourth place in the Prairie Division. 

"It's all just preparation for the playoffs now," said head coach Brian McDonnell. "The biggest thing we've talked to the team about is consistency and they've proved that with seven straight wins, but now it's going away to Lethbridge which is a very difficult place and we're going to approach it like it's the first game of playoffs."

In the match, Dominic Russo was the lone goal scorer, scoring his fifth goal in as many consecutive games. The striker's deflection off of a free kick from Kieran Hay beat Mount Royal goalkeeper Kamil Zielinski for the game winner. 

"Russo up front is a threat to score and he causes so many problems. He's strong, he makes center backs make decisions they don't want to make and he has been very consistent for us."
Despite playing four games within one week, head coach Brian McDonnell is happy with the performance.

"I think the amount of soccer we've played in the last two weeks has really caught up with us, but the big positive out of that is that we were still able to get three points and a win. I think the team lacked a little bit of energy, but they made up for it with their tactical discipline."

Goalkeeper Colin Hasick picked up his seventh consecutive win since becoming a starter on Sept. 14, and added his fifth shut out on the season. 

"The big thing with Colin is that he's a presence and he's steady. The big thing with goalkeepers is that the players trust them and therefore they feel better about taking more risks."

The Dinos hope to clinch second place next weekend when they head to Lethbridge to take on the Pronghorns, Oct. 18-19.

-UC-