CALGARY - Positive steps made in 2008 and a renewed commitment to fitness have the University of Calgary Dinos encouraged to keep moving forward in their quest to represent Canada West at the CIS championships for the first time since 1997.

With their second late-season win in as many years against the University of Victoria Vikes and a second team CIS All-Canadian nod for midfielder Courtney Campbell in 2008, head coach Jenn Swagar and the Dinos have high expectations for 2009.

“Fitness-wise, I am very happy with where we're at going into the season,” explained the third-year coach. “Skill-wise, we're still not right where we want to be as a young group, but the group is cohesive, and the recruits fit in perfectly with what we have going.”

With players such as Jaya Dixit, who is returning from a redshirt year, and aggressive rookie forward Keara Chicquen set to move into the lineup alongside core players such as Campbell, Kaelyn Barrie and Carolina Romeo, the Dinos are building momentum towards being more assertive in Canada West action.

Goaltender Stephanie Petrowitsch, who saw quality playing time in net for the Dinos in 2008, returns in the capacity and remains a solid leader for the young club.

Swagar realizes that they might not be too far off from a spot in the CIS Championship, as the top three Canada West schools will participate in 2009.

“If we can at least turn every tie into a win, we can very easily put ourselves in position to go to Nationals, which would be a huge turning point for our program.”

-UC-