CALGARY – Coming off their most successful season since 2012, the University of Calgary women's field hockey team will look to continue moving in the right direction when they open the 2019 season against the UBC Thunderbirds.

The opening game on Saturday will be part of Dinos Pride Fest, starting at 11 a.m. on the Hawkings Field turf, with the rematch on Sunday also scheduled for 11 a.m.

NEW YEAR, NEW BENCH BOSS
Calgary will head into the 2019 season with a new head coach for the first time since 2015, as Roel Van Maastrigt will take over from 2018 Canada West Coach of the Year Peter Taylor. Van Maastrigt comes to the program from the Netherlands, and will also be Field Hockey Alberta's High Performance Coach. 

BETWEEN THE PIPES
2018 Canada West Goalkeeper of the Year Ingrid Ulrich graduated from the program last season and the Dinos will be looking to a new face to fill her spot in the lineup. Victoria, BC product Tayler Guy has earned the starting position and will make her U SPORTS debut this weekend after strong performances in training and non-conference play.

BIG SHOES TO FILL
The Dinos will have some big shoes to fill as along with losing Ulrich, the Dinos will be without their other two Canada West All-Stars Sabrina Wong and Marion Arnott. Calgary will look to a number of fifth-year players that are ready to take on a larger role, including 2018 leading goal scorer Jenna Bower and stalwart defender Jenna Birch-Jones. 

"Of course losing a big talented group of players is not ideal, but it also gives room for others to step up. The team has shown great development in building a new team culture and creating a high performance environment," explained Dinos head coach Roel van Maastrigt. "The development of players like Madison MacMillan and Melanie Scholz is promising and shows the team is on the right track. We are looking forward to the weekend and will do everything to get a result against a strong UBC team."

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. UBC THUNDERBIRDS
Game Info Saturday Sep. 14, 11 a.m. and Sunday Sep. 15, 11 a.m. – Hawkings Field
2018 Record 4-1-3, 2nd in Canada West
2018 Leading Scorer(s) Niki Best (3g), Sara Goodman (2g), Margaret Pham (2g)

NOTES

• The 19-time national champion Thunderbirds will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season that saw them finish 2nd in Canada West, knocking them out of contention for their eighth straight national championship.
• Head Coach Poonam Sandhu will be back for her second year coaching after her rookie season saw her team finish 4-1-3
• UBC will also be looking for a new goalkeeper to step up, as they will lose 2018 Canada West All-Star Rowan Harris, who was in her fifth and final year last season
• Third-year Sara Goodman, who was a 2018 U SPORTS All-Canadian, will make life difficult for the Dinos attackers, as she will lead a strong UBC defense that gave up just six goals last season