BOX SCORE SASKATOON - The Dinos women's soccer team gave new head coach his first victory in his first game with the program, edging the Saskatchewan Huskies 2-1 Saturday afternoon on a scorching day at Griffiths Stadium.

BOX SCORE

In the 72nd minute, the Dinos were rewarded for their strong play when Vanessa Graham was able to get her head on a cross from Tina Basi and direct it into the lower corner for the game-winning goal.

"We worked a lot on corner kicks this week, and we were rewarded with two goals on corners," said first-year coach Shepherd. "Their goal in the first half came on the counterattack when we lost some concentration, but we pressed again in the second half, got a corner out of it, and Vanessa scored a beautiful goal."

The Dinos opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Tessa Miller was able to get her head on a Caitlin Milne corner kick. The Huskies were quick to answer in the 35th minute when Lindsay Manz played a perfect ball through the Dinos back four to Daniela Fuenzalida who was able to tuck the ball past the outstretched Dino keeper.  The Huskies were able to gain momentum as the half went on and looked to take the lead late in the first half when Elizabeth Hudon had an open look from 25 yards out but her shot sailed just over the bar.

The first half went back and forth with neither team able to maintain consistent possession.  The Huskies got the better of the scoring opportunities late in the first half but were only able to capitalize on one of them.

The Huskies came out strong in the early part of the second half and nearly took the lead when Hudon found herself in alone on the Dino keeper.  The charging Kristen Barton was able to get her fingertips on the shot to direct it wide.
After the great save from Barton the Dinos were able to switch the momentum in their favour and controlled possession for much of the second half, culminating in Graham's game-winner.

The Huskies tried desperately to answer back late in the match.  Kristen Huel had a great opportunity to tie the game back up when her header went just wide off of an Amy Byrne free kick.

The Dinos outshot the Huskies 10-7 in the match.

The loss drops the Huskies to 0-1-0 on the season and the win moves the Dinos to 1-0-0.

The Dinos travel to Edmonton to take on the University of Alberta Pandas Sunday. They open the season at home next Saturday against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

-30-