Connor Hood, Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - Late tries in both the first and second half were enough to secure a 24-10 victory for the Calgary Dinos over the Alberta Pandas, Thursday night at Foote Field.
Just like their first meeting two weeks ago, a 25-24 win for Calgary, Thursday night's clash was incredibly tight and physical, with only a couple plays deciding the match. A Dino try in the 40th minute, as well as a pair of defensive stops inside their own five yard line were enough for the Dinos to earn their fifth win of the season.
The loss for the Pandas is their third straight, as they fall to 1-3 in conference play.
"It's been two games in a row against the Pandas were it came down to the very end." said Dinos head coach Simon Chi. "Both were very physical battles. We didn't get off to the greatest start, but a lot of that was due to the Pandas playing tough, and with a lot of emotion. But our girls dug deep, and managed to find a way to win that game."
Erin Geddie, Taejah Thompson, Kasselle Menin and Isla Shill recorded tries for Calgary in the win, while Shill also added a pair of converts. Jayne Isherwood scored the lone Pandas try in the second half, while Ali Wicklum added a convert and a penalty goal in the first half.
Alberta had a chance to take control of the match early, with a Wicklum penalty giving them an early 3-0 lead. The Pandas had two opportunities to score, holding the ball inside the Dino 20, but failed to reach the endzone on both occasions.
The lack of production came back to haunt them, as Calgary quickly responded with their first try. Geddie powered her way into the endzone, giving the Dinos a slim 5-3 lead. The real momentum boost came in the 40th, as Canada West Athlete of the Month Taejah Thompson exploded past the Pandas for the try. Shill's convert gave the visitors a 12-3 halftime lead.
Isherwood helped the Pandas cut into their deficit, scoring her second try of the season in the 48th minute. An Ali Wicklum convert cut the Dino lead down to just 12-10.
The Dinos, however, slowly started to take over the second half following the Pandas try. Menin finally capitalized on the Dinos possession, finding the Pandas end in the 69th minute to restore their nine-point lead.
Alberta had a fantastic chance to return the favour. Sparked by a powering run by Courtney Holtkamp, the Pandas were in prime position to score inside the Pandas five yard line. A massive defensive stop, however, negated points by the Pandas.
Shill finished off her impressive night with a try in the 79th minute, securing the win for Calgary.
"For us it was a matter of settling the game down, and maintaining possession. We basically defended for the entire first half, and that's not how you want to play the game." said Chi. "The key for the second half was to get the ball and force the Pandas to spend some time on defence."
Both teams will conclude their regular season next weekend, as the Pandas travel to BC for games against Victoria and UBC, while the Dinos visit the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
Scoring Summary
12th - ALB Penalty Goal - #15 Ali Wicklum - 3-0 Alberta
16th - CGY Try #3 Erin Geddie (Convert Missed) 5-3 Calgary
40th - CGY Try #15 Taejah Thompson (Convert #10 Isla Shill) 12-3 Calgary
Halftime
48th - ALB Try #3 Jayne Isherwood (Convert #15 Ali Wicklum) 12-10 Calgary
69th - CGY Try #4 Kasselle Menin (Convert #10 Isla Shill) 19-10 Calgary
79th - CGY Try #10 Isla Shill (Convert Missed) 24-10 Calgary