CALGARY - Opportunity knocks for the University of Calgary Dinos soccer teams to put together back to back weekend victories, as a home and home series awaits with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

The women, who found great success this past Saturday against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a 3-1 victory, came out flat to finish the weekend against the Alberta Pandas, losing by a score of 3-0.

While the usual suspects made an impact in the Saturday game, where top forwards Tessa Miller and Morena Ianniello each registered a goal, it was the return of a veteran Dino that sparked the team. Fourth year forward Katie Blundell opened the scoring for Calgary, showcasing her speed and ball skills all afternoon to frustrate the Huskies. However, all three forwards calmed down and subsequently struggled against the Pandas on Sunday.

The Dinos are still searching for that perfect weekend in 2009 and will have their best opportunity yet against the Pronghorns, who are seeking their first point in the standings with a record of 0-6-0 on the season.

Two wins against the 'Horns would do the Dinos a world of good, as Calgary currently sits in 7th place in Canada West. Without the six points in the standings, the Dinos would be jeopardizing their chances at a playoff spot, as the top four teams in the conference are starting to create separation from the rest of the league.

While the Dinos have shown their potential on offense this year, it will be the play of the defence against Lethbridge that might prove the difference. Two of the Dinos' allowed goals last weekend were the result of defensive blunders, and a collective effort will be needed to ensure errors such as these don't occur again. Veteran Annie Hayes leads the defence for the Dinos.

Perhaps fortunately for Calgary, goals for the Pronghorns have been few and far between on the year, with only seven goals to their credit in six contests. Andrea Nippard leads the team with two markers, while Lilli Young has contributed a goal and two assists.

Both Lethbridge goaltenders have seen quality playing time but have struggled mightily in their chances. With each carrying over a 4.00 goals-against average, the goaltending duo will be eager to prove themselves after a tough start to the season.

The Dinos men's team got different tastes of the same medicine this past weekend, as a late goal propelled them to victory over the Huskies on Saturday before a similar late goal from the Alberta Golden Bears burned them on Sunday.

Suffice to say, the Dinos would like nothing more than to replicate more of Saturday's result as opposed to Sunday's., and that starts by making good on their opportunities in front of the opponent's net.

Ironically, Calgary currently sits first in Canada West with 8.67 shots on goal per game, but sits second to last in goals with just four over six games. Their ability to bring their goal total up to their shot total will prove whether or not the Dinos can be an upper-tier club.

That said, the Dinos have shown a tenacious defensive effort on the season, with Matt Reid, Jeff Marsden and Joe Long working together to keep goaltender #J.P. Crescenzi# reasonably underworked thus far. The defence has only allowed 4.67 shots on goal per game, which is good for second in the conference.

As a result, the Dinos have exceeded many people's expectations in posting a 2-3-1 record thus far and are sitting only one spot out of a playoff berth in fifth.

The Dinos will get a chance to make up more ground this weekend as they host the Pronghorns on Saturday before heading to Lethbridge to finish the series on Sunday. The Horns are currently in last place in Canada West with a record of 0-5-1, their tie coming against the Huskies this past Sunday thanks to a late penalty kick.

The only team with fewer goals than the Dinos in 2009 is Lethbridge, which has scored only three times. Greg Remjin has been a bright spot for the team, as he has registered a goal and an assist to go along with a team-leading 13 shots.

Their goaltender, Jordan Campbell, has kept Lethbridge in games all season long, and has recorded a respectable 1.67 GAA despite facing more than six shots a game.

The first game of the home and home series kicks off in Calgary at the West Varsity Pitch before both teams board their buses and head to Lethbridge for the Sunday rematch. Games go at noon and 2:15 MT, with the women preceding the men.

-UC-