CALGARY – Solid goalkeeping and two early goals drove the University of Fraser Valley Cascades to their fourth win of the season as they shutout the University of Calgary Dinos 2-0 on Calgary soil. The shutout marks the second afternoon in a row where the Dinos have been unable to record a goal.
Cascade goalkeeper Kris Johannson (4th, North Delta, BC) was superb in net, as he nullified many good Dinos chances throughout the game. Perhaps the best save came in the first half as he stoned Dinos forward Alex Hanne (1st, Calgary) on Calgary's best chance of the game. Hanne tried unsuccessfully to go right on Johannson who slapped the ball out of harms way.
The Dinos, while still struggling mightily in 2008, showed better effort after a lackluster Saturday performance against Trinity Western. Better offensive pressure was noticeable, as they put 11 shots towards the Cascade net. Unable to catch a break throughout the match, midfielders Carlos Cruz (5th, Calgary) and Tanmeet Singh (3rd, Calgary) among others continued to work hard to the final whistle, which was encouraging for a largely frustrated Dinos team.
UFV goal scorers Craig Robinson (1st, Chilliwack, BC) and Milan Francisty (4th, Maple Ridge, BC) both were able to get after Dinos goalkeeper #J.P. Crescenzi# (3rd, Calgary) in the first half. Robinson's game winner came in the 23rd minute of the game.
With the two weekend losses, the Dinos find themselves in the middle of a discouraging 2008 season. Coach Andy Gibbs points to the lack of experience on both ends of the field as being the deciding factor.
“At this point, we are just too young and inexperienced on the offensive and the defensive end. While we show good flashes of solid play, we have been a charity to the other team far too often this season, on both ends of the field,” sighed Gibbs.
With the weekend sweep of their Southern Alberta opponents, the Cascades improve to 4-3-2 and find themselves right behind Alberta for the fourth and final Canada West playoff spot. They travel to the west coast next weekend to face the powerful University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.
At 1-7-2, the Dinos are playing mostly for their pride now, and have a bye week to get players healthy both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, it doesn't get any easier for Calgary as they invite the British Columbia Thunderbirds and the Victoria Vikes on October 18th and 19th to the West Varsity Soccer Pitch. Both B.C. schools are one and two in the Canada West soccer standings, respectively.
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