CALGARY – For the first time since 2019, the University of Calgary Dinos field hockey team will get to play on its home field. The Dinos will host the reigning National Champions University of Victoria Vikes at Hawkings Field this Saturday and Sunday, with both games scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

HEY, WE KNOW HER! – Jenn Swagar returns to the bench for the Dinos this season as head coach. That name should sound familiar to Calgary fans, as Swagar previously coached the Dinos from 2007-2012, leading the squad to 19 total wins over that span and a national silver medal in 2011. Swager comes off a busy summer coaching athletes & coaches of Field Hockey Alberta at Nationals. 

Joining Swagar on the sidelines this season will be a few other familiar faces, as Dinos Alumni Venus Kwan and Kimberly Veale will serve as assistant coaches.

A VERY LOOOONG WAIT – Calgary will not only be making its season debut this Saturday, but will also be playing its first home game in nearly three full years. The Dinos last played on Hawkings Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 against Victoria. That was followed by the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an altered schedule for the 2021 season that saw all games played in British Colombia. That all adds up to 1,084 between the last game at Hawkings Field and Saturday's return to action. 

NEW FACES – The Dinos sport nine rookies and returning red shirts from across Canada this season. That group will look to make their debuts on the pitch this season and provide some new talent, filling in numerous spots from graduating players.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – After a busy summer gaining experience with Field Hockey Canada at the rescheduled Junior World Cup in South Africa, Tayler Guy (the two-time reigning Canada West goalkeeper of the year) will look to showcase her international experience this season. Guy isn't the only returner with experience on this year's roster, however, as 2021 Canada West All-Star Madison Gaffney, fifth-year returner Emily Smith, fourth year Brooke Van Oosten and midfielder Abby Fung all bring plenty of experience heading into this season.

NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE – In addition to Tayler Guy's time with Team Canada this past year, recent UCalgary grad Melanie Scholz also is helping put Dinos field hockey on the map after a number of call ups to Team Canada. The local product and two-time All-Canadian helped her home country claim gold at the 2021 Pan American Games. Most recently, Scholz traveled to Birmingham, England for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, helping Canada go 2-2 at the international competition.

-UC-