CALGARY - While in two different area codes this past weekend, both the men's and women's Dinos Soccer squads suffered similar disappointing game results. Both look to better their fortunes this weekend in front of their home crowd at the West Varsity Soccer Pitch. Excitement should be high on Saturday Sept. 13, as Minor Soccer Day, as well as Fan Appreciation Day takes place for the games against rival University of Alberta. Sunday sees the Dinos take to the pitch against the Huskies of University of Saskatchewan.

In the Canadian prairies this past weekend, the women scored a somewhat disappointing 1-1 tie against the Regina Cougars, where the Cougars scored in the 90th minute to tie it up for good. Third year forward Cayla Scavo (Red Deer) scored for the Dinos. They then could not bounce back on Sunday as they were dismantled by the Manitoba Bisons, who took a 4-0 victory. The men return to Calgary having been dealt two narrow defeats of 2-1 and 1-0 at the hands of Fraser Valley and Trinity Western respectively, with Jeremy Jenkyns (2nd, Calgary) scoring the lone goal of the weekend.

The University of Alberta Pandas soccer team split their past weekend series against Victoria and British Columbia with a 2-1 victory versus the Vikes, and a 3-0 loss to the T-Birds. The Golden Bears went undefeated this past weekend with a 2-1 victory against the Victoria Vikes, and a 0-0 draw with the Thunderbirds. Both teams look to be formidable opponents for the Dinos this Saturday.

The Saskatchewan Huskies women's soccer team looks for redemption this weekend after following a respectable 1-1 tie against UBC with a debacle of a game versus the Vikes, losing 8-1. The men played their west coast opponents close, posting a 2-2 draw versus the T-Birds, following with a slim 2-3 defeat at the hands of the Vikes.

While the offense was lacking for the Dinos women this past weekend, it was the performance of the defence and goalkeeping that was perhaps a bigger surprise, giving up a last minute goal against the Cougars, and letting in four versus the Bisons. Coach Robin Slot, who has noticed a significant offseason commitment to success from his Dinos, leads a historically stingy defensive team, and hopes to restore order this weekend with a young, motivated group. Veteran defenders Annie Hayes(5th, Calgary) and Caitlin Milne (3rd, Calgary) and third year goalkeeper Courtney Heffernan (Calgary) should be able to provide the leadership necessary for the young team to rebound.

The offence, while only posting one goal, still looked energetic, as they got off 21 shots over both games. The key for their upcoming matches will be to direct more of these shots on goal and force the opposition to make the tough saves. Now back in the comfort of their own home, Dinos forwards such as 2007 team leading scorer Morena Ianniello (3rd, Calgary), Saaraa Premji (2nd, Calgary) and youngsters Tessa Miller (1st, Calgary) and Megan McKinley (1st, Ottawa) should be able to let loose and put some pressure on the Pandas and Huskies.

While starting off on the wrong foot in the win/loss column, the Dinos men's squad can take solace in the fact that they are sticking to their team goals, as they played two tight games against two very good teams. Coach Andrew Gibbs was adamant in his belief that the Dinos cannot afford to play wide open freestyle soccer, and they certainly avoided that this weekend, posting a couple one goal losses.

Coach Gibbs was particularly pleased with #J.P. Crescenzi# (3rd, Calgary), who showed great promise this weekend with solid games in net. Crescenzi let in only three goals to defending Canada West Champion Trinity Western and a young improved Fraser Valley, who are both powerful offensive teams.

The men will certainly need to find an offensive touch this weekend, having only posted one goal and eleven shots throughout the weekend. There are positive signs looking forward though, as Jeremy Jenkins scored on his one shot of the weekend, and Carlos Cruz got going again after a one year hiatus from the Dinos, with several shots on goal. Rookie import Joe Long (Bristol, England) played spirited soccer on the defensive end for the Dinos, netting himself a player of the game nod in his match versus the Trinity Western Spartans.

-UC-