CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos remain undefeated on their home field after defeating the Pacific Division-leading UBC Okanagan Heat 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Dinosaur Field.
Calgary's top goal scorer,
Dominik Zuczek, came into the day leading Canada West in game-winning goals, and he would add to that lead in this game. After a Dinos corner kick sailed long, forward
Derek Brust made a tremendous effort to keep the ball in on the end line and pop it back to the middle of the box, allowing Zuczek to head it home.
The goal was all the Dinos would need to take a 1-0 win, improving their record to 5-3-0. UBC Okanagan drops just its second game of the season, falling to 6-2-1.
"Every time we play a B.C. team, it's always a hard fought game," explained Dinos head coach
Brendan O'Connell. 'Hard fought' was exactly what the first half was, as neither team managed much in terms of scoring opportunities and both keepers were sharp, leading to the 0-0 halftime score.
After Zuczek's goal in the 51st minute, the Heat would get their best opportunity of the game just over 10 minutes later. A Dinos foul just outside the box gave the Heat a good look on net and Spencer Young put it right on goal, forcing Dinos keeper
Jake Ruschkowski to make a diving stop to preserve the 1-0 lead.
For the Dinos,
Nahum Tsegai and
Adam Huskic were stellar at the back, holding off the Heat attack all game. The Dinos were able to keep Heat leading scorer Sam McDonald from recording a shot on net.
Ruschkowski made 5 saves on the day for the Dinos, and picked up his second clean sheet of the season. While Heat keeper Sam Reitsma, who leads Canada West in GAA, had 3 saves.
"These guys are the top, and we were able to show our resilience today," said O'Connell. "We set out wanting to keep a clean sheet, and we did exactly that."
Calgary will face another stiff test Sunday as they host the Victoria Vikes at 2:15 p.m. on Dinosaur Field, while the Heat will continue east to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
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