CALGARY – The UBC Thunderbirds wrapped up a season-opening sweep of the University of Calgary Dinos Sunday, winning a back-and-forth affair by a 4-3 final at Hawkings Field.

After a tight 2-1 loss for the Dinos Saturday, the home side was poised to bounce back and get in the win column on the young season. Despite some late first-half heroics and a well-played offensive game, Calgary came up just short of a comeback against the visitors in blue.

The Dinos looked motivated to waste no time getting on the scoresheet, rushing the ball into Thunderbirds territory right out of the gates.

Despite the early push, UBC was the first to get on the board as the result of a penalty just outside the attack circle shot home by Margaret Pham for a first-minute goal.

UBC struck again in the second coming from a shot at the top of the circle from Hannah Eborall which was able to avoid Dinos defenders sticks and find the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Being down by a pair now, the Dinos needed a boost from the offence to get back into the game. That boost came in the minute following the UBC goal from Nicole Brown who slotted one after a mad scramble in front of the goal.

Just seconds later, the Dinos were awarded a corner and a chance to tie the game going into the half. Off the corner, a couple nice passing plays resulted in Brown once again putting one up and over the head of the UBC netminder to make it 2-2.

The thrilling end to the first half seemed to light a spark in the Dinos coming out of the half. Abigail Fung led the charge handling her way through the UBC defense on multiple occasions to push for the leading goal but was denied by Hanna Rumble.

The narrative of the game changed when a series of three short corners for UBC resulted in two goals from both Jordan Faiczak and Sara Goodman to once again give the Thunderbirds a two-tally cushion going into the final frame.

The fourth quarter saw a different tone then the other three with play being relatively level for a majority of the time. 

With a short corner late in the game Lauren Hayes swept one home to put some pressure on the UBC squad. Unfortunately for the Dinos, the comeback fell just short and Calgary drops to 0-2 on the young season. 

"I loved the fight we showed after going down 2-0," said Dinos head coach Roel Van Maastrigt. "There just wasn't enough time at the end for us to get it all back."

The DInos will stay put at Hawkings Field next week and get set to host the University of Victoria Vikes at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, while UBC takes a bye week in the Canada West schedule.

SCORING SUMMARY
UBC – Margaret Pham FG, 1', 1-0 UBC
UBC – Hannah Eborall FG, 28', 2-0 UBC
CGY – Nicole Brown FG, 29', 2-1 UBC
CGY – Nicole Brown PC, 29', 2-2
UBC – Jordyn Faiczak PC, 41', 3-2 UBC
UBC – Sara Goodman PC, 45', 4-2 UBC
CGY – Lauren Hayes PC, 60', 4-3 UBC
 
GOALKEEPERS
UBC – Hanna Rumble, 60 MP, 3 GA
CGY – Tayler Guy, 58 MP, 4 GA
 
CARDS
UBC – Nicolette Best GC, 53'

-UC-