EDMONTON - The University of Calgary Dinos women's soccer team needed a win in their final game to qualify for the playoffs - and win they did, upending the Alberta Pandas 1-0 at Foote Field on Sunday afternoon.

The win gives the Dinos the sixth and final playoff spot in Canada West, while Alberta will finish fifth.

The only goal of the match came from first-year forward Tessa Miller when she lobbed the ball high over Alberta goalie Krista Gavin that landed within five feet of the goal line, bounced up to hit the crossbar and landed inside the net.

This peculiar goal came minutes after Gavin stretched out to rob Miller on a point-blank attempt in what was, up to that point, a largely defensive game with no scoring chances for either side.

The Pandas attempted to even the score in the second half but they were unable to turn any of their scoring chances into goals.  This included some fancy footwork by second-year striker Sarah Smyth who then crossed the ball through the Calgary crease only to find Dino defenders.

The resulting shutout by Calgary goalie Kristen Barton became her third of the season and will provide the Dinos further confidence in their goaltending which will become more important in the playoff tournament slated for next weekend.

Calgary will be joining the Pandas, the Manitoba Bisons, the Trinity Western Spartans, and the UBC Thunderbirds as all five teams converge upon the University of Victoria where the first-place Vikes will be hosting.

Alberta will take on Manitoba in the first semi-final on Thursday, Oct. 30, while the Dinos face off against the UBC Thunderbirds at 3:15 p.m. MT.

-30-