CALGARY – In their last home game of the Canada West season, the Dinos women's field hockey team lost 2-0 to the University of Victoria Vikes on Sunday at Hawkings field.

While the result mirrored what happened on Saturday, the Dinos' performance proved the team is making significant strides. Particularly in the second half, the Dinos matched the Vikes and can consider themselves unlucky to finish their home games without any points.

"The second half was absolutely the team's best performance this season," said Dinos head coach Henré Meyer. "It was a competitive game that could have gone either way. That was a massive stride forward in those [last] 35 minutes. That's how we want to play every 70 minutes."

Like yesterday, the Victoria's goals both came off penalty corners in each half. Defender Lizzie Yates and midfielder Andrea Jones were the Vikes' goal scorers.

The Dinos started the match flat, with most of the first half played in their end. While the home side kept possession better than on Saturday, they were unable to create chances up front.

"[Our passing] did get better today – there was more value to it," said Meyer. "But it could still be better in terms of transitioning play, switching the ball around the back and outletting."

Vikes forward Amanda Kurianowicz was proving a nuisance for the Dinos defense throughout the first half. Midfielder Kathleen Leahy was also playing well for the Vikes, handling the ball well and creating chances for the visitors.

Dinos keeper Beckett Frisch, playing her last match at Hawkings field, was instrumental in keeping the score at 0-0. A diving save off a shot from Kurianowicz in particular drew applause from both sets of fans. By the half hour mark, the Canadian national team player had made five crucial saves.

The first half looked set to end 0-0, before the Vikes stole a goal in the 32nd minute. A Vikes penalty corner landed at Yates at the top of the Dinos' circle. The third year defender rifled a shot into the top left corner to put the visitors ahead going into the half time break.

"[Defending corners] just comes down to being disciplined. One of the things we highlighted is that, we aren't getting low enough in the defensive area. The other is the discipline factor of not engaging the player too soon. It just comes down to some discipline, which we have to work on these next two weeks," said Meyer.

The second half was easily the Dinos' best performance of the season so far, keeping the Vikes defenders on their toes for much of the 35 minutes. Midfielders Meghan Norlander and Janelle Rice were playing well in offense, winning their individual battles and combining with their team mates.

First year forward Brianna Agostinho had one of the Dinos' best chances to score, forcing a pad save from Vikes keeper Larissa Piva with a shot in the 44th minute.

On the defensive side, Dinos first year Sabrina Wong was doing her part to keep the Vikes from doubling their lead. Particularly from short corners, Wong made a series of important blocks and tackles in front of goal.

Like in the first half, Frisch continued with her last-line heroics with a handful of big saves. The Dinos star thwarted two Vikes breakaways in the second half, rushing out of her net to slide-tackle the Vikes forwards.

"Personally I think I played a really good game, for it being my last one here," said Frisch, who finished with nine saves. "I really wanted to do what I could to help this team win. We haven't won for a long time so I really wanted to do my part in trying to get that W."

Despite the Dinos having the momentum, the Vikes managed to score again in the 61st minute. Another penalty corner landed at the stick of Leahy, whose shot to the far post was deflected in by Jones.

The Dinos continued to press for the remainder of the game, but were unable to capitalize against a structured Vikes defense.

Having played their first four games of the season at home, the Dinos will play their remaining games on the road. As it was the last home game, a handful of Dinos seniors were playing in their last game at Hawkings field.

"I've played on this turf for ten years now and it feels weird that this is the last competitive game I'll play here," said Frisch. "I really loved our fight today and I'm glad we went out that way."

"It's a proud moment. It's been a long, hard fight these past four years so yeah, very emotional," said fourth year defender Kimiko Durrer. "The second half we realized this was our last home game so fought extra hard. It was really good."

The Dinos' season continues the week after Thanksgiving in Vancouver with a double-header against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

-UC-