CALGARY – The University of Calgary women's field hockey team will open their 2018 Canada West regular season this weekend with back-to-back home games against the Victoria Vikes.
Both games begin at 11 a.m. on the brand new Hawkings Field. On Saturday there will be a grand opening ceremony immediately before the teams take the field for warm up.
NEW SEASON, SAME EXPECTATIONS
The Dinos are coming off a 0-8-0 season in 2017; however, reigning Canada West coach of the year
Peter Taylor says the expectations remain the same. Every year he wants to continue to develop the program as a whole, as well as for the individual players to progress as hockey players. He believes if the team continues to improve from year to year, the results will speak for themselves.
ALL- CANADIAN TRIO
Going into the 2018 season, U SPORTS All Canadians and Canada West All-Stars
Sabrina Wong and
Michelle Patterson will be relied on to keep the Dinos heading in the right direction. Wong, a 4th year defenseman, will help keep things sturdy at the back, while 5th year midfielder Patterson will look to keep a structured and driving midfield. The Dinos also welcome back 2015 All-Canadian
Janelle Rice, who returns to the squad after a two-year absence.
FINISH, FINISH, FINISH
When asked what he thought would be the key to gaining good results this weekend, Coach Taylor stated that it would simply come down to the Dinos "effectiveness in the circle," adding that this was one of the team's main problems last year.
"We would dominate parts of matches last year, but we just wouldn't put away our chances, and that is what we need to do."
SCOUTING REPORT
vs VICTORIA VIKES
Match Info Saturday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. – Hawkings Field
2017 Record 4-3-1, 2nd in Canada West
2017 Leading Scorer Anna Mollenhauer (4g)
NOTES
- The Vikes had a 4-0-0 record against the Dinos last year, but two of those victories were just by a 1-0 score.
- Last season the Vikes were very solid defensively as they only gave up a total of 8 goals in the 8 game regular season.
- This past weekend, the Vikes kicked off their 2018 season against the seven-time defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds. Both games ended in ties (2-2, 0-0).
- Last year's leading scorer for the Vikes, Anna Mollenhauer, had a solid start to her 2018 season. Mollenhauer's performance in the two games against UBC had her named Canada West Women's third star of the week.
- The Dinos will have their work cut out from them as they attempt to beat Vikes goalie Robin Fleming. Fleming gave up just 2 goals in 2 games against UBC over the weekend.
UP NEXT
After this weekend's games, the Dinos will play hosts to the other B.C. team. The Dinos will host the seven-time defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds for back-to-back home games on Sept. 29-30.
-UC-
