CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos field hockey team begins its 2023 season this weekend, hosting UBC for a pair of games on campus, starting Saturday.

The season opener starts Saturday at 11 a.m. as part of the Dinos "Fall Festival," with activities planned for fans of all ages during a busy day of Dinos athletics on campus. Sunday's game is also scheduled to start at 11 a.m., with both games taking place at Hawkings Field.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

COACH SWAGAR – Head coach Jenn Swagar enters her eighth season leading the Dinos. This is the second year into her second stint with the Scarlet & Gold, first leading the squad from 2007-12 before returning prior to last season. Swagar has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year four times during her tenure and led the 2011 team to a national silver medal in one of the best seasons in program history.

TOPS IN THE LAND – Isabella Green was named, not just the Canada West Rookie of the Year, but the top rookie in all of Canada last year. The 5-foot-4 defender from Duncan, B.C. was a force to reckoned with a season ago and will look to take the next step in 2023.

FOR STARTERS – Calgary will be looking for a win in its season opener for the first time since 2011. Since a 2-0 victory over Victoria in 2011, the Dinos have dropped their last 10 to start the season. Some of Calgary's best lid lifters came in back-to-back seasons in 2002 and 2003, when an 11-0 win over Manitoba in 2002 was followed by another convincing double-digit win (10-0) over the Bisons one season later.

PRESEASON SUCCESS – While the Dinos kick off their conference schedule this weekend, they already have a bevy of preseason games under their belts. The team played their first non-conference games since pre-COVID and had nothing but success. Calgary traveled to New York for a week in mid-August to take on a host of NCAA schools, turning in strong performances across the board. Then, last weekend, they returned home for a non-conference weekend series against Guelph that resulted in a 3-1 win in the opener before a 7-1 victory in Game 2.

QUOTABLE – "This young team is growing every time we are together. They value hard work, they support each other and they are starting to understand that if they change their attitudes just slightly, great things can happen. 

"I am encouraged by the steady growth and desire to excel that these young athletes demonstrate. The culture we are fostering is one of compassion, courage and kindness. Every athlete understands that 'together, we are stronger and better.'" – Dinos head coach Jenn Swagar.

-UC-