CALGARY – It was a Bad News Bears type of day for the University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday at McMahon Stadium as the University of Alberta Golden Bears took the first of a two-game set 2-0.

Calgary had their chances on Saturday afternoon. Both sides went back and forth but the bounces seemed to fall in favor of the Golden Bears all match. The home side was denied by the bar and posts time after time until the clock finally ran out.

"We had a poor first half for sure, we were scrambling and they were forcing us to make adjustments on the fly," said Calgary head coach Brian McDonnell. "They had us behind the eight ball."

The Dinos entered the game after collecting a perfect six points in their first two matches against the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Apart from the obvious provincial rivalry, this weekend represented a chance for Calgary to build some early grown on last years' Prairie Division champs. The Golden Bears went 9-2-4 last year, finishing tied for the second-best record in Canada West.

McDonnell added, "At the end of the day, it's all about getting points and we have to go out and get three points tomorrow."

The Dinos and Golden Bears finish this weekend back at West Varsity Soccer Pitch tomorrow with action set to begin at 2:15 p.m.

Seeking their first win of the year following a season-opening draw last week, Alberta struck early in the 4th minute. Picking up a crossed ball from Mohamed Teliani, fourth-year forward Jermele Campbell capitalized with a shot from just outside the box.

Dinos' goalkeeper Jordan Unreiner did his part in the first half to hold his club within a goal. His best sequence came late in the half as he stopped Teliani, followed by a marvelous save on a rebound by Marcus Johnstone.  

In the 60th minute, Alberta doubled their lead. In traffic at the right corner of the box, CJ Gilroy managed to fire a ball through a number of defenders and past Unreiner for a 2-0 lead.

The home side threw shot after shot towards the goal but couldn't get anything past Jay Vetsch in the Alberta net.

Both goalkeepers made five saves in the game. The Golden Bears led in shots 15-10.

Calgary hits the road next weekend when they take on the Saskatchewan Huskies on Sept. 21-22 in Saskatoon. The Dinos return home on Sept. 28 as they begin a two-game set versus the Winnipeg Wesmen at the West Varsity Soccer Pitch.

-UC-