EDMONTON – The University of Calgary Dinos were unable to recover from a large first half deficit, dropping their season opener 43-12 to the Alberta Pandas Friday night at Foote Field.

Third-year Panda Kate Alcock scored a try, converted five kicks, and hit on a penalty kick to lead the home team. Alcock was joined in the offensive explosion by fellow third-year Cassie Mann who scored two tries on the day.

The Dinos were was paced by two second-half tries from Victoria Okeke and Danyka LaBelle.

With the win, the Pandas move to 1-0 in the young season, while Calgary drops to 0-1.

It was a quick start to the scoring for the home side when, in just the second minute of play, Mann burst through the Dino line for a quick try that Alcock promptly converted. 10 minutes later, Amber Robertson-Grafton added five to the Pandas tally with a gruelling goal-line to try to put the Pandas up 12-0. From there, Alcock took the game over. She scored a penalty kick in the 19th minute, then nearing the end of the half scored and converted her own try to give the Pandas a 22-0 advantage at the half.

Alberta was not finished with the offence from there, with rookie Orlane Lemofouet punching in a try and a good conversion made it 29-0. The Dinos were able to put a response together in the 57th minute when Okeke beat the Alberta defence and touched down for five. LaBelle scored shortly after but it was not enough as late Pandas tries from Mann and Maria Sawiak wrapped a bow on a 43-12 explosive opening win.

The Pandas travel to Lethbridge next Saturday for their second game of the year, while the Dinos have a week break before hosting Alberta at McMahon on the 13th.

2' – Alberta Try - #4 Cassie Mann (#14 Kate Alcock Try); 7-0 ALB
12' – Alberta Try - #5 Amber Robertson-Grafton (Convert Missed); 12-0 ALB
19' – Alberta Penalty Goal - #14 Kate Alcock; 15-0 ALB
39' – Alberta Try - #14 Kate Alcock (#14 Kate Alcock Convert); 22-0 ALB

HALF
51' – Alberta Try - #16 Orlane Lemofouet (#14 Kate Alcock Convert); 29-0 ALB
57' – Calgary Try - #8 Victoria Okeke (Convert Missed); 29-5 ALB
65' – Alberta Try - #4 Cassie Mann (#14 Kate Alcock Convert); 36-5 ALB
68' – Calgary Try - #7 Danyka LaBelle (#22 Macie Kitt Convert); 36-12 ALB
74' – Alberta Try - #12 Maria Sawiak (#14 Kate Alcock Convert); 43-12 ALB