CALGARY – The University of Calgary field hockey team will look to get their season on track with back-to-back home games against the UBC Thunderbirds. 

Both games begin at 11 a.m. at the newly laid turf at Hawkings Field. 

BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
Goalkeeper Ingrid Ulrich, unfortunately, missed the entirety of the 2017 season with an injury, but she has returned and is her same old save-making self. Head Coach Peter Taylor couldn't say enough about the job backup goalkeeper Madison Arbuckle did last season, stepping in for Ulrich in her first year as a Dino. However, he is very excited to have Ulrich's experience back for the upcoming season. Ulrich was named to the 2016 Canada West All-Star team and will be called upon to make big saves for the Dinos once again in 2018. 

FRESHMAN HELP
Critical to the success of any team is the addition of new young players to take over for the players who had graduated or have moved on to other pursuits. The Dinos have a total of six first-year players on their roster and will look for all of them to contribute in their first season. Madison MacMillan and Melanie Scholz, in particular, had very strong starts to their careers as Dinos, both playing key roles in limiting Victoria's scoring chances.  

TIGHTEN UP
The Dinos will have their work cut out for them this weekend as they take on the seven-time defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds. When asked about what would be crucial to gaining good results in the upcoming games, coach Taylor mentioned the defensive zone. 

"I was really happy with how we attacked, specifically in the second game. I think we need to continue to build on that momentum and play a little bit tighter on defence." 

SCOUTING REPORT

vs UBC THUNDERBIRDS
Match Info Saturday, Sep. 29 at 11 a.m. and Sunday, Sep. 30 at 11 a.m. – Hawkings Field  
2018 Record 0-0-2, second in Canada West
2018 Leading Scorer(s) Niki Best (1g), Abigale MacLennan (1g)


NOTES 

• UBC did not lose a game in the 2017 season and had just one tie. They started the 2018 campaign with back-to-back ties against the Victoria Vikes, and have a 0-0-2 record coming into this weekend's games. 
• The Thunderbirds were exceptional on offence last year, scoring 22 goals in just 8 games during the 2017 Canada West regular season.  
• Poonam Sandhu is in her first year as the UBC head coach, serving as an assistant coach to Robin D'Abreo last season.
• The Dinos defenders will have to keep a close eye on Thunderbirds midfielder Margaret Pham. In just her second year of eligibility, Pham tied teammate Meghan Hayden for the Canada West league lead in goals with 5 in the 2017 season. 
• Scoring will not be easy for the Dinos, as 2017 Canada West Player of the Year Rowan Harris returns as the Thunderbirds main goalkeeper. In Canada West, Harris gave up just 2 goals in 5 games last season. 

UP NEXT

After this weekend's games, the Dinos will have a much deserved weekend off. The Dinos will then travel for the first of back-to-back B.C. road trips, where they will play the Victoria Vikes on October 13-14.