EDMONTON - The University of Alberta Golden Bears soccer team survived two late chances by the Calgary Dinos to remain in a 0-0 tie at the final whistle Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.

BOX SCORE

The single point was crucial for both sides, as it kept the visiting Dinos (3-4-2) in the playoff race and kept the No. 5-ranked Golden Bears (5-1-3) in third place, two points up on the Victoria Vikes.  Victoria occupies, for now, the final playoff position.

Calgary is five points back of the Vikes, and a loss would have all but eliminated the Dinos with only five games remaining.

But it was the Dinos who almost escaped with the win Saturday afternoon in Edmonton.

After 85 minutes the two sides combined for just four shots on goal and 10 corner kicks, none of which really tested either Alberta starting keeper Jaswinder Gill or #J.P. Crescenzi# in the Calgary goal.

The final five minutes, however, had its share of drama.

First the Dinos were awarded a free-kick with five minutes remaining in the contest from about 30 yards out, which was effectively dealt with by the Bears' defence, and then Gill was shown a red card for a sliding tackle outside the Alberta penalty area in injury time.

Back-up goalie Steven Reid was pressed into action, and the Dinos were set-up with another late free-kick, this one just outside of the Alberta 18-yard box.

Reid, however, wasn't forced to make a save and the match ended in a draw.

The Golden Bears host the Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-6-2) Sunday afternoon, while the Dinos, who are just one-point up on the UFV Cascades, travel to Saskatchewan (2-5-2) Sunday afternoon.

-30-