EDMONTON - The University of Calgary Dinos ended their season in dramatic fashion against the University of Alberta Pandas, scoring the game's only goal in the final seconds of the game that took place at Foote Field on Sunday afternoon.
Although the 3-7-2 Pandas had already punched their ticket to nationals yesterday with a 2-0 win over the 3-8-1 Dinos, eliminated from nationals in the very same game, Calgary took their last offensive chance and made it count.
Scoring chances for Alberta outnumbered those for the Dinos in the first half as 2009-10 Canada West Player of the Year Jackie Trautman had two cracks at
Stephanie Petrowitsch, but the second-year goalkeeper stymied both attempts.
A flurry of penalty corners went the Dinos' way in the second half, but a stingy Alberta defense led by sophomore netminder Tory Spencer held them at bay.
The Bedford, N.S. native had her best save of the game sophomore midfielder
Lindsay Koch made a rush towards the Pandas' goal, only to meet Spencer's stacked pads. Koch was able to get a second attempt off the rebound but rookie forward Madison Boulter bailed out her goalie with a fine defensive effort to keep the game scoreless.
With time winding down and the Pandas scrambling in their own zone, however, junior midfielder
Courtney Campbell took a shot from right in front of the net and found the near corner just before the horn blew to end the game.
Winning the game means that Calgary finishes the season one point shy of heading to nationals, but also means they improve on last season's 2-8-2 record, due in large part to Canada West Coach of the Year
Jenn Swagar, who earned the award for the second time in three seasons.
The Pandas, on the other hand, finish two points below last season's
3-5-4 regular-season record but have a chance to make some noise at nationals, Nov. 6-8 at Victoria, perhaps improving on last year's CIS silver medal.
Following the game, the Dinos'
Carolina Romeo was recognized as a Canada West all-star, while
Kaelyn Barrie played her final CIS game.
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