CALGARY – Ella Djuranic scored twice as the University of Calgary Dinos women's soccer team opened the 2023 season with a convincing 4-0 win over the Manitoba Bisons Saturday afternoon from Dinosaur Field.

Djuranic scored her first in the 10th minute to give the Dinos a 1-0 lead early before the flood gates opened late with goals from Djuranic (80th), Rachel Barlow (81st) and Grace Moore (90th +) for the lopsided final scoreline.

"It feels great to be back," Djuranic said. "I'm really proud of the way we came out. We did have a stretch where we let off the gas a little bit, but we came through in the end with some late goals. I think we made a statement today and I'm ready to go again tomorrow."

The Dinos started the game on the front foot and found the back of the net less than 10 minutes in. Rachel Barlow slotted the ball toward the edge of the Bisons 18-yard box where Jayden Berg got a foot to it, sliding it to Djuranic who took a touch to beat her defender before blasting the ball near post for the first goal of the season.

Berg nearly made it 2-0 later in the first, but Bisons keeper Karina Bagi made an impressive point-blank save to keep the score the same.

Midway through the second half, Manitoba nearly found the equalizer. Tabata Bravo got behind the Dinos defence and had a blast from inside the box, but Calgary keeper Katie French was up to the task with the save. Just over one minute later, it was Camila Goldsztein with a shot from distance, but French was again there for the save.

Calgary's offence got going in a big way late in Saturday's opener. 

In the 80th minute, Brooklyn Colvin sent a perfect through ball from midfield just behind the back line where Djuranic was streaking and got a touch to the ball to beat the keeper for her second of the game.

Rachel Barlow had a nice individual effort to find the back of the net just one minute later to make it 3-0, and Grace Moore finished off a brilliant pass from Mykena Walker in stoppage time for the final goal in this one.

Bagi finished with six saves for Manitoba, while French was credited with a pair of saves in the win for Calgary.

The Bisons now make the drive to Lethbridge to take on the Pronghorns Sunday at noon from Lethbridge Community Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Dinos are back in action Sunday at noon when they host Winnipeg in the first game of a doubleheader with the men's team, who is scheduled to play Mount Royal in their season opener directly after the conclusion of their match.

-UC-