SASKATOON – Behind a 5-0 rout in the regular season finale, the Calgary Dinos men's soccer team locked up their 2024 playoff seeding, finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Canada West Prairie Division with a final conference record of 7-2-5 under first-year head coach Ramon Mifflin. 

The Dinos got the scoring early and often in a 5-0 thumping of Saskatchewan Sunday afternoon from Griffiths Stadium – their fourth time this season racking up five or more goals in one game.

With the loss, the Huskies close out their 2024 campaign with a 3-10-1 record.

The Dinos came out of the gates with immediate pressure on the Dogs leading to an opening score in the 8th minute. Gianmarco Plenzik netted what would prove to be the game-winner on a penalty kick opportunity, beating Saskatchewan keeper Jaron Slopinski with a shot to the left side of the Huskies goal. 

Despite generating multiple chances in search of the equalizer, the Dogs were unable to get one by Dinos goalkeeper Hany Shafie, who made four saves for the clean sheet. 

Late in the half, Calgary was able to regroup and resume their offensive attack, resulting in two scores 10 minutes apart. The first, which came in the 33rd minute, saw Pleznik score his second of the match after a rebound fell perfectly in place for a tap-in goal after an incredible individual effort by Efe Udolu-Joshua. The Dinos would then take a three-goal lead after Dominic Anamali scored for the visitors. 

The second half would see both teams make several substitutions in an effort to provide as many players as possible with playing time in the final game of the regular season. 

As the second half went on, the Dinos continued sound defensive play, thwarting the Huskies' best scoring opportunities in two corner kick attempts. With goals from Spencer McCallum and Josral Frederick in the 64th and 71st minutes, the visiting team left Saskatoon with a 5-0 win. 

The match saw four keepers take the pitch, with the Huskies sending George Arnold into net for the second half while the Dinos would make their change late in the half, with rookie Oliver Allen securing the shutout with the final 19:20 in net.

For the Huskies they see their 2024 season come to an end while the Dinos will head to the postseason and host a Canada West quarterfinal game next weekend. Calgary finished tied for second in the Prairie Division with Mount Royal, but finished ahead based on the third tie breaker – goal differential versus common opponents. The Dinos will now travel to Vancouver for a quarter-final contest against Fraser Valley, the third seed from the Pacific Division after finishing with an 8-5-3 record. Kickoff from Thunderbird Stadium on the UBC campus is set for 5 p.m. MT Friday, Oct. 25.

-UC-