CALGARY – After taking home the Canada West Championship last weekend in Edmonton, the University of Calgary Dinos women's soccer team will look to continue their 2019 run this week at the USPORT National Championships in Victoria, B.C.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 7 where the Dinos will clash with host University of Victoria Vikes in their quarter-final matchup. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. MT at Centennial Stadium, with streaming on USPORTS.live.

CANADA WEST CHAMPS
A tight defensive game against MacEwan pushed the Dinos semifinal game into a shootout. After missing their first shot, the Dinos wouldn't make another mistake winning 4-3 on penalty kicks. They would meet UBC in the finals where winger Kelsie MacDonald gave her team the only goal of the match to bring home the Canada West banner.

RETURN TO VICTORIA
With the second time in two years heading back to the National Championship, Calgary will look to improve upon their sixth place finish last year. The team has found success in nationals in prior years with their last title coming in 1998 at the same Victoria venue that's hosting this year's tournament.

THE HOSTS, AGAIN
Troye Flannery has taken the Dinos to three national tournaments in five years now, and all three times they have faced the host in the quarter-final (2015 at UBC, 2018 at Ottawa, 2019 at Victoria).

TEAM EFFORT
During the Canada West playoffs, the Dinos saw production from all over the field. Centre back Damiane Sawatzky potted the game winner against Manitoba while MacDonald added the other goal for the team during their run. Lauren Houghton once again stood tall in goal, making all seven saves during the postseason to post a perfect 1.000 save percentage. 

SCOUTING REPORT

• There will be a new team crowned at the tournament this year with defending national champion Ottawa being eliminated in the Ontario playoffs
• Cape Breton's Alliyah Rowe and Montreals Megane Sauve come in as the top scorers for the tournament, both registering 15 points during the season thus far.
• Of the eight teams participating in the tournament, only two have never hoisted the trophy (York and Toronto).
• Calgary goalkeeper Lauren Houghton enters the tournament leading the field with a 0.44 GAA 
• UBC will be looking for their U SPORTS-record seventh national championship.

-UC-