CALGARY - The Dinos lost their third game of the season on Saturday, falling to the visiting University of Victoria Vikes 2-0.
Two second-half goals from penalty corners were enough to see off the Dinos, who put up a tough fight against a talented Vikes squad. Defender Rosie Beale and forward Amanda Kurianowicz scored the goals for the Vikes.
The loss keeps the Dinos winless after three games, while UVic maintain their position at the top of the Canada West conference with a 3-0-0 record.
It was a frigid, windy afternoon at Hawkings field, with the game played in sub-zero conditions. Before the match could start, the snow had to be shoveled off the playing area.
The Vikes started the strongly, comfortably keeping possession and pressing the Dinos' defenders.
"UVic started really well. They put us under pressure early on and we didn't really do a good job of moving the ball around like we should," said Dinos head coach Henré Meyer.
Although the Vikes had the lion's share of possession, it was the Dinos with the game's first scoring opportunity. Ten minutes in, the Dinos forwards rushed the Vikes's zone and almost scored during a goal-mouth scramble. Vikes keeper Larissa Piva managed to eventually pounce on the loose ball.
After almost pulling ahead, the Dinos picked up their performance, matching the Vikes for the rest of the half. Both sides created scoring chances, but neither could capitalize.
"It became a bit more of a see-saw game. We had some opportunities and some short corners, which unfortunately we couldn't convert," said Meyer. "When you're getting into these tight games, you have to start converting your opportunities."
With neither team managing to pull ahead, the score was still 0-0 at half time.
The Vikes re-established their momentum in the second half and managed to pull ahead in the 51st minute. A well-worked play from a penalty corner landed at the stick of Beale, who fired a deflected shot past Dinos keeper Beckett Frisch into the net.
The Dinos struggled to get out of their zone for much of the second half, forced to defend a slew of Vikes attacks.
The Vikes looked likely to double their lead in the 61st minute, with Kurianowicz forcing a reflex save from Frisch.
As the game neared its end, the Vikes scored again. Another penalty corner resulted in a shot from Midfielder Kathleen Leahy. Kurianowicz managed to deflect the shot past Frisch for her third goal of the season.
Despite the loss, Dinos captain Janelle Rice credited her team's attitude throughout the match.
"We didn't give up today. We played through the whole game," said Rice. "We definitely have things to work on but it was a really strong performance."
Even though the Dinos haven't won a league game since 2012, Rice said the team is moving in the right direction.
"The more we play together, the better we can play as a team. We're improving each game and we're on the right track to get that first win," she said.
The two teams face each other again on Sunday, at noon at Hawkings field.
