CALGARY – The Saskatchewan Huskies came out strong against the Dinos, getting to goalkeeper Courtney Heffernan (3rd, Calgary) early. A late Dino effort in the second half proved to be fruitless as the Huskies took it 3-2 at the West Varsity Soccer Pitch in Calgary.

The Huskies scored early, as Elizabeth Hudon (2nd, Prince Albert) found the far corner past an outstretched Heffernan in the seventh minute. This seemed to deflate the spirit of the Dinos, as they looked sluggish for the majority of the game.

Saskatchewan got two more balls behind Heffernan before the Dinos could answer, with Kaitlyn Johnson and Jamie Lemay scoring in the 44th and 54th minute respectively.

The Huskies were able to control the ball to their liking throughout the majority of the game, playing very smart soccer. They cleared their zone consistently and got after the Dino defense.

The Dinos finally woke up late in the second half, with a goal by rookie Tessa Miller (Calgary) in the 72nd minute. Huskie goaltender, Kailee Marland (3rd, Saskatoon) then mishandled a reasonably harmless shot from Dino Caitlin Milne (3rd, Calgary) at her goal line in the 82nd minute, sparking a furious Dino rally in the waning minutes of the game. Calgary had a few more good chances, but eventually could not get the win.

Dino midfielder Katrina Strauss (2nd, Calgary) assisted on both Calgary goals, and was a part of a three player second half substitution along with Jane Leung, (1st, Calgary) and Katie McKilligan (3rd, West Vancouver) that seemed to give new life and energy to the Dinos offense late in the game, spearheading the Calgary rally.

The Dinos are now faced with the task of finding a way to put a complete offensive soccer game together. Saturday and Sunday showed flashes of offensive excellence; it is now simply a matter of finding the consistency to drag this intensity out over an entire game. 

The Huskies walk away with a satisfying victory after being embarrassed Saturday in Lethbridge, suffering a 5-1 loss. They return home next weekend to face the Manitoba Bisons and the Regina Cougars in Saskatoon.

The Dinos on the other hand go back on the road, facing UBC and Victoria next weekend, and will be looking to put their first notch in the win column. The Dinos then stay on the road on September 27th as they compete in the first end of a home and home series with the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Both teams then travel back to Calgary to finish the series on the 28th of September at the University of Calgary West Varsity Soccer Pitch.

-UC-