EDMONTON – Kelsie MacDonald needed just a tiny opening against UBC's stingy defence to deliver the winning goal and a Canada West women's soccer championship to the Calgary Dinos on Saturday at Clarke Stadium.
Calgary's most dangerous forward all weekend zipped a shot from the top of the box off the right post and in as the Dinos blanked the Thunderbirds 1-0 to win the program's first title in 14 years.
"It means a lot," she said. "I think it's my first championship ever in my soccer career, so it's huge. And scoring the winning goal and being a part of that makes it extra special for me."
It was a special result for the Dinos program, which made amends after losing in the Canada West final a year ago to Trinity Western. The banner is Calgary's second in their women's soccer history, after winning at home in 2005. The program captured its lone national title in 1998.
"Last year we were in this same game, in the same position and I thought we didn't understand the importance of it," said head coach
Troye Flannery. "We were a little bit younger then and I think we were guilty of being happy to be there.
"This year, immediately after the result yesterday, we set our sights on this and we wanted this one bad. It doesn't mean we're content with just this. We're going to show up and perform at nationals, as well, but I think it's just a prideful moment. It's good for the university, it's good for the program. We're well supported and it's great to do that for those supporting us back home as well."
The game was played primarily in the middle of the field, with few shots or chances on either side. UBC's best came in the 43rd minute when Jacqueline Tyrer delivered a bombing free kick from 35 yards out that forced Calgary's
Lauren Houghton to tip it off the crossbar and out.
"It was a bit of a stalemate," said UBC coach Jesse Symons. "It needed to either take a set piece or a moment of brilliance. Calgary found one today. It was a great goal and credit to them for that one opportunity they got.
"Other than that, it was pretty much a midfield battle today. Two tired teams after yesterday. Two teams focused on nationals next week, but congrats to Calgary on a game well played today."
Calgary didn't throw anything of note at the UBC goal early in the match, but they just needed one chance.
Alison Pedersen threaded a through-ball down a seam less than six feet wide in the middle of the field and found MacDonald at the top of the box and she made no mistake.
"
Kelsie MacDonald, when she gets the ball in those areas, she's dangerous," said Flannery. "She's had a good weekend here and just capped off a great season. Knowing her the way I do, she won't think she's done yet. There's another big week ahead of us, but it was probably the right player at the right moment, and we'll take it."
The Dinos weathered a late storm by the Thunderbirds, but the stingiest team in the conference denied them. Captain
Damiane Sawatzky led the way by shutting down Danielle Steer twice in extra time, including on a textbook sliding tackle in the box.
"If you watch us play, if you study video, there's a reason why we're so stingy," said Flannery. "There's a couple names that everybody knows, but she's the unsung hero of this team. She's our captain and I couldn't ask for a better representation for the program."
Both teams will join host Victoria as the Canada West representatives at the U SPORTS national championship Nov. 7-10.
NOTES: It is the second Canada West title of the 2019-20 season for the UCalgary athletic department, coming a week after men's cross country won the conference banner … the championship is the 153rd Canada West title across 20 sports in school history …
-UC-
