EDMONTON - For the second game in a row, the University of Alberta Pandas field hockey team struggled to protect a one goal lead and ended up in a 1-1 with the Calgary Dinos Sunday afternoon at Foote Field in Edmonton.

Pandas rookie Nicole Laskosky scored in the 39th minute, a lead which held for just over 20 minutes.  On Saturday, Jackie Trautman scored for Alberta in the 17th minute, but the Dinos leveled in the 43rd minute to gain a point.

On Sunday, Calgary's Kaitlyn Longworth scored on a penalty stroke in 61st minute to ensure the Dinos left with two of a possible six points.  Longworth also scored on Saturday.

After a scoreless opening half, Laskosky scored the first field goal of the weekend, beating Dinos' goalie Stephanie Petrowitsch for the lead at 39th minute.

A mostly back-and-forth affair quickly became Calgary's game after Laskosky's goal, as the visitors played with a sense of urgency and continually hounded the Alberta goal area, and owned possession in the Pandas half.

They were rewarded for their pressure in the 61st minute with the awarding of a penalty stroke attempt.  Longworth, who scored on a corner on Saturday beat Alberta goalie Tory Spencer to the bottom left hand side.

Spencer, the Pandas fourth-year 'keeper from Bedford, Nova Scotia, had a strong day in net, including a highlight reel save midway through the second half.  With the pressure on, and Calgary buzzing the Alberta goal area, Spencer hit the turf and stacked the pads, only to see the incoming shot rise up and over her body, but, before it could cross the goal line, Spencer slapped it away with her hand at the last moment.  

The Pandas and Dinos now remained tied for second place in Canada West with a 2-2-2 record, while UBC, which split with Victoria this weekend, sits alone in first with 12 points and a 4-2 record.  The Victoria Vikes occupy the basement with a 2-4 mark and six points.

Those same Vikes will be in Edmonton next weekend to take on the Pandas in what is a must win weekend for both teams.  The Pandas need to stay ahead of Victoria for a berth to nationals, while the Vikes can vault into second place with a strong weekend against at Foote Field.  Match time is 1:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday October 8-9.

The Dinos, meanwhile, host UBC next weekend.

-30-