VICTORIA – The University of Calgary Dinos run of success in British Columbia came to an end on Sunday afternoon as they fell short 18-17 to the Victoria Vikes at Wallace Field.

The Dinos had lost a game in B.C. since 2014, a run of 10 consecutive games in rugby 15s play – including Friday's season-opening win against the UBC Thunderbirds.

Maddy Aberg's kick in the final minutes sealed the victory for the Vikes as they opened their season with a win in the 10th annual Jenny Vincent Memorial Game. The Dinos were on an incredible run, winning the past eight Jenny Vincent games after the Vikes won the inaugural affair.

Aberg was also responsible for the first score of the game, as she converted a penalty kick eight minutes into the first half.

The Dinos final line of defence could have allowed a couple early tries, but good low tackling kept the Vikes off the scoreboard until 11 minutes before half. The Vikes got the ball moving with great passes from Paige Farries, Nicole Gamm and Jenn Appleby, setting up Ada Okonkwo's first try of the season.

Farries forced a couple turnovers on the afternoon at crucial times. Her first important turnover came just before half, where she stole a ball in her own zone, setting up the third scoring drive for the Vikes. Kelsey McKinnon and Appleby laid a couple walloping hits near the Dinos' try line and eventually, Appleby broke free for the try.

During half time, the Dinos offence woke up.

Initiating their offence early in the half, Kasselle Menin delivered a try three minutes in. Menin was banging down near the Vikes try line with Sarah Thomas 14 minutes later, but couldn't squeeze it in. The ball eventually came out to Angie Olukunmi and she raced to the other side of the field, where Isla Shill eventually dove in for the try.

The Dinos capped off a 17-0 run when Nadia Popov registered her first try of the season with 12 minutes remaining. Catherine Ohler converted her first kick on the afternoon to put the Dinos up 17-15.

"We had to get people dialed into the game and understanding the intensity they have to play at," explained Dinos head coach Simon Chi. "A lot of players demonstrated a lot character to help us get back in the game."

The Vikes battled back, as Farries forced another turnover and drove the ball into Dinos territory.

A penalty for a high tackle gave Aberg the chance to regain the lead for the Vikes with 3:30 remaining and she split the uprights.

The Dinos had a late rush up the left sideline from Kachi Chinwuba, but Gamm stepped up and pasted her out of bounds to kill the clock and save the game.

"It has been a bit frustrating, the same thing happened on Friday, we just came out of the gates a bit slow," said Chi. "We had to claw our way back, but when you do that too many times it is going to catch up to you."

 The Dinos return home and will host their first game on campus on Saturday, Sept. 14 when they face the Alberta Pandas. The game will be part of the first-ever Dinos Pride Fest. For more information on the event, visit godinos.com/sports/2019/8/29/dinos-pride-fest.aspx.