CALGARY – A hot start fueled the University of Calgary Dinos to their second win of the season, a 34-10 result over the University of Alberta Pandas at McMahon Stadium.

The Saturday matchup saw the Dinos honour their graduating players before the game. Three of those seniors contributed on the scoreboard, accounting for 12 of the 34 points by the home side.

Graduating Dino Taejah Thompson gave credit for the win to the fans, saying, "it's always an honour to play in front of them, having all the support of our fans make these wins more rewarding."

The game had the Dinos come in hot with sustained early pressure in the Pandas half. Ashlynn Smith opened the scoring with a try five minutes into the game. Berlyn Seselja added two more with a successful conversion. Thompson was the beneficiary of great ball movement by the Dinos back-line leading to a try in the corner 19 minutes into the game. The Dinos kept on the pressure putting Alyson MacDougall in the try zone 5 minutes later after strong forward play with relentless picks off the rucks.

After a defensive start, the Pandas found their offensive pressure, with Shelby Pierce breaking the Dinos defence 29 minutes into the game for their first try.

The Dinos replied getting back into the Pandas half. After two balls held up at the line, Smith punched through for her second try of the game. The halftime score was 22-5 for the Dinos.

A halftime break refuelled the Pandas, leading to control of the ball for the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Dinos defence held the line and marched the ball back down the field. After three hold-ups on the line by the Pandas, the Dinos spun the ball out to the wing putting Kate Knight in the corner for the first points of the second half at the 59th minute.

Sustained pressure and a late storm by the Pandas put Kathryn Fuhr in the try zone with six minutes left in the game.

Grace Campbell, with great anticipation, intercepted a Pandas pass leading to a try for Julia Omokhuale. Pat Lively made the convert to end the game.

With playoffs on the horizon, Dinos head coach Simon Chi sees this win as a momentum builder, but noted, "the hard part is to beat a team two times in a row,"

The rivalry between the Dinos and Pandas will resume next weekend at Foote Field in Edmonton on Friday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Half
5' CGY – Ashlynn Smith try (Berlyn Seselja convert), 7-0 CGY
19' CGY – Taejah Thompson try, CGY 12-0
24' CGY – Alyson MacDougall try, CGY 17-0
29' ALB – Shelby Pierce try, CGY 17-5
37' CGY – Ashlynn Smith try, CGY 22-5

Second Half 
57' CGY – Kate Knight try, CGY 27-5
74' ALB – Kathryn Fuhr try, CGY 27-10
80' CGY – Julia Omokhuale (Patricia Lively convert), CGY 34-10