EDMONTON - The Alberta Pandas played spoiler Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Foote Field over the previously undefeated Calgary Dinos.

Fifth-year midfielder Nicole McKay and second-year forward Erin Hope found twine for the host Pandas who move to 3-2-0 in the 2022 Canada West campaign.

The Calgary Dinos (4-1-0) were supported by a goal from second-year Jayden Berg, and a great performance from goalkeeper Caley Leask who turned aside seven of nine Alberta shots on target, many of them coming from dangerous areas.

The Pandas started incredibly well, holding the vast majority of possession in the first ten minutes when McKay struck a beautiful shot into the top corner from 20 yards out to give Alberta a quick lead.

They would maintain pressure on the Calgary defence, who had only conceded twice in their previous four games, with active and effective pressing from their forward group. The Pandas would hold a 5-2 margin at the half in shots on target, with Leaske making a few key saves to keep the game from getting out of hand early.

The Dinos would come out of the break firing on all cylinders, finally breaking through the Alberta line for some high-danger opportunities. However, a Pandas corner in the 69th minute would lead to Erin Hope cracking a shot from outside the box that just beat a diving Leask for a 2-0 advantage.

The Dinos offence, currently the highest scoring per game in the Canada West, would not be quieted forever as Berg would be on the receiving end of a great free-kick pass from second-year Grace Moore that was tapped in for a 77th minute score.

The Pandas would hold on the rest of the way to a slim 2-1 margin to leave Foote Field victorious in another Battle of Alberta matchup.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon, with the Pandas playing host to the UNBC Timberwolves (2-2), and the Dinos heading across town for a clash with the MacEwan Griffins (2-2).