The sixth ranked Alberta Golden Bears allowed two goals in the final ten minutes, as they fell 2-1 to the Calgary Dinos at Foote Field on Sunday. The loss was the first on the season for the Bears, and drops their record to 3-1.
Tolu Esan scored his third goal of the year for Alberta, while Robin Whittaker and third-year forward Lindon Fedorick scored for the Dinos in the win. With the loss, Bears coach Len Vickery, now in his 31st season with the program, remains at 199 conference wins.
The Calgary Dinos looked fresh in the opening half; Third-year midfielder James Gourlay just missed from inside of five yards, but chipped the ball over the net, and Tom Widdowson ripped his shot wide in the 44th minute. However, the game remained scoreless after 45 minutes, with Calgary holding the 10-5 shot advantage.
The tide seemed to change directions to start the second half, as it was the Golden Bears who opened the scoring. Esan accepted a great through ball from Mo Teliani in the 50th minute, and snuck the breakaway chance short-side on Dino keeper Colin Hasick.
The Bears continued to pressure Calgary, looking for an insurance goal, including another great opportunity for Esan in tight, but Hasick was up to the challenge. Just when the match seemed to be slipping out of Calgary's hands, an 81st minute foul inside the box from Bears defender Cameron Borrett, handed it right back to them. Whittaker snuck the penalty shot past the diving attempt from Bears keeper Connor James, and the game was even at one.
Only two minutes later, Fedorick finished off a Dinos two-on-one chance in close, giving Calgary the late 2-1 lead. Alberta would get a pair of chances late to even the match; Teliani's header would find the post in the 89th minute, and Niko Saler's shot in added time sailed just over the bar, but Calgary would hold on the the one goal victory.
The Bears will hope to get back in the win column, and get Vickery his 200th win later this week, as they host the MacEwan Griffins on Wednesday, September 30th at Foote Field.