VANCOUVER – While they came into this weekend without a win, the visiting Calgary Dinos performed much better than their record indicated on an overcast Saturday at Wright Field, twice coming from behind to force a tie against the Thunderbirds.
 
Mikayla Stelling scored both goals for the T-Birds and also scored in the shootout, as the home team managed to pull out the bonus point after giving up a crushing equalizing goal with less than two minutes on the clock.
 
Stelling notched the opener just eight minutes in, as the T-Birds controlled the bulk of the action in the first quarter. Outside of that early goal, however, Calgary goalkeeper Madison Forest was a wall at the back. The first-year 'keeper made a number of good saves to keep her team in it early.
 
The second quarter was the only one on the day with no goals, although not for a lack of trying. Russem Thind nearly set one up for the hosts with a dangerous ball flashed across the front of the net, but no one could get on the end of it.
 
The T-Birds continued to put the pressure on to begin the second half, forcing another strong save from Forest off an early penalty corner.
 
It was the Dinos though who make their own penalty corner count just a couple minutes later, with a very well-worked play that saw Molly Garnham fire the ball towards goal directly onto the stick of Nina Khalfan, who deflected into the net for her team's first goal of the season.
 
Hannah Doman nearly made it two for the visitors very soon after, rattling a shot off the post with the rebound just out of reach of any of her teammates.
 
After that flurry of Dinos pressure, the Thunderbirds began to control possession once again, but were unable to create clearcut chances in the face of a resolute Calgary defence. The two teams thus entered the final quarter tied at one goal apiece.
 
There, it was T-Birds who struck with just over 10 minutes to play, following a quick counter-attack by Hazel Taylor and Stelling. After carrying the ball from midfield all the way into the shooting circle, Taylor dished it to an open Stelling who was stopped by an onrushing Forest. She couldn't keep out the rebound, however, as Stelling was eventually able to bundle the ball home.
 
But despite the setback, the Dinos refused to give up and in the dying minutes of the game found another equalizer. This time it was Sophia Widdess who managed to score from a tight angle close to the UBC goal in the midst of heavy traffic, with the assist coming from Elliot Kellough.
 
With just 30 seconds on the clock, Kaia Cooper had a shot to steal the win at the death for the T-Birds, but Forest once again came up with the goods and sealed the tie for her team.
 
The Thunderbirds did manage to get the better of the Dinos in the shootout, scoring on three of their four attempts. Robyn Goh allowed just one goal on the other side, as the T-Birds earned the important bonus point.
 
The two teams will face off again on Sunday, a game that serves as UBC's Senior Day and final home game of the season.
  
The rematch goes at 12:00 p.m. (MT) at Wright Field.
 
 
SCORING SUMMARY
UBC – Mikayla Stelling, FG, 8', 1-0 UBC
CGY – Nina Khalfan, PC, 35', 1-1
UBC – Mikayla Stelling, FG, 50', 2-1 UBC
CGY – Sophia Widdess, FG, 59', 2-2
 
GOALKEEPERS
UBC – Pascale Pottier, 30MP, 1GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30MP, 1GA
CGY – Madison Forest, 60MP, 2GA
 
CARDS
CGY – Maya Doman, GC, 12'
 
SHOOTOUT
Rd 1: Victoria Zaccagnini No Goal, Laurien Bruijning Goal – 1-0 UBC
Rd 2: Allegra Nelson No Goal, Mikayla Stelling Goal – 2-0 UBC
Rd 3: Isabella Green Goal, Kaitlyn Pennefather No Goal – 2-1 UBC
Rd 4: Maia McGillivray No Goal, Kaia Cooper Goal – 3-1 UBC

-UC-