CALGARY – A cold day in Calgary saw the Dinos and the Manitoba Bisons leave the West Varsity Soccer Pitch with a tie in hand, 1-1. Tessa Miller and Caley Miskimmon scored the goals for the Dinos and Bisons respectively, and both teams earn a point in Canada West standings.

It was a battle of wills amongst the goaltenders on Saturday afternoon, as Kristin Barton of the Dinos and Ashley Forbes of the Bisons were excellent in net for both teams, making nine saves each. Barton made numerous sprawling stops that literally saved the Dinos from missing out on a crucial point in the standings. Both goaltenders were put to the test early and often, as both teams offered good offensive pressure throughout the match.

Tessa Miller scored halfway through the first half for the Dinos, finding a great spot in the top corner of the net over an outstretched Forbes. Miller, who has been a major reason why the Dinos have been able to occupy a Canada West playoff spot late in the season, continued her solid play making good on her fifth goal this year.

Saaraa Premji and Lindsay Burrowes were very good for the Dinos Saturday, as both players combined for eight total shots. Burrowes, a talented midfielder for the Dinos, was able to control the tempo of the game to her liking throughout the match.

The Dinos were solid throughout the majority of the game, holding the lead through to the 66th minute. However a key blunder by the Dinos defense proved to be the difference between the win and a tie for Calgary. Manitoba forward Caley Miskimmin deked through the defense and found herself alone in front of Barton and the Dino net. Miskimmin, who is second in the Canada West points race, made no mistake on a shot in which Barton had no chance on.

Manitoba defender Michelle Kliment was excellent on the back end, deterring numerous Dinos charges throughout the afternoon. Karli Colpitts was equally good on the front end for the Bisons, serving as a constant thorn in the side of the Dinos defense all afternoon. Colpitts, who went without a point Saturday, is tied for fifth in the conference in points.

The Bisons, who are still without a win after a blistering 6-0 start, will take the tie and the point in the standings and move on to Lethbridge to face the Pronghorns on Sunday afternoon. With the tie, Manitoba maintains their fourth place spot in Canada West standings, and will certainly look to climb higher against the 'Horns.

Calgary on the other hand will bring the Regina Cougars to the West Varsity Pitch on Sunday to finish the weekend set. The Dinos are in need of more points in the standings, and will need to come out hard against a struggling Cougars squad. Regina has only managed three total goals on the year, and will be looking to break out and spoil the Dinos' fun.

-UC-