CALGARY – The UBC Thunderbirds scored three times in the second half to defeat the University of Calgary Dinos women's field hockey team 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Hawkings Field.

The loss drops the Dinos to 0-3 on the season, while the Thunderbirds open their season 1-0.

"I think we had some good moments but they also had some strong moments," said Dinos head coach Jenn Wishart. "I think it gives us an exciting step for tomorrow and what we can show as a team."

UBC opened the scoring in the first quarter when a give-and-go in the circle had T-Birds forward Riley Brown sneaking one past Dinos goaltender Madison Forest. Calgary answered with chances of its own, including a shot after picking off a T-Birds pass that hit the crossbar. UBC thought it had a second goal in the final seconds of the quarter, but it was waved off for a back stick foul.

The Dinos pushed for the equalizer in the second quarter, earning a penalty stroke four minutes in, but UBC goaltender Robyn Goh made a strong blocker save to keep her team ahead. Calgary had another chance with a penalty corner later in the quarter, but Goh stood strong to keep the Dinos off the board and hold a 1-0 lead.

UBC took control early in the third quarter with two goals in quick succession. The second came after T-Birds attacker Amy Stelling worked around Forest, who had come out of the net, for a quick tap-in. The Calgary keeper then made a big stop on a UBC penalty stroke late in the quarter to keep the deficit at three.

The Dinos finally got on the board in the fourth quarter when Nina Khalfan redirected a penalty corner into the net with about 10 minutes remaining, but UBC responded less than a minute later on a penalty corner of its own to restore the three-goal margin and close out a 4-1 victory.

"We did a better job at defending today," said Wishart. "I think we kind of have to work on our position throughout the field and defending throughout the field, but our defending in the 23 we improved on a lot."

Sunday's rematch will also mark Calgary's final home game of the season, with the Dinos set to honour their graduating players beforehand.

"We get to recognize some special seniors before the game," said Wishart. "But we're just going to work a little bit more on our structure and kind of highlight our attack a little bit more."

The Dinos will return to action Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. when they host the UBC Thunderbirds again at Hawkings Field.

SCORING SUMMARY
UBC – Riley Brown, FG, 6', 1-0 UBC
UBC – Sydney Le, FG, 32', 2-0 UBC
UBC – Amy Stelling, FG, 34', 3-0 UBC
CGY – Nina Khalfan, PC, 50', 3-1 UBC
UBC – Sukhman Hundal, PC, 51', 4-1 UBC

GOALKEEPERS
CGY - Madison Forest, 60MP, 4GA
UBC – Robyn Goh, 30 MP, 1GA
UBC – Kaelen Uy, 30 MP, 0GA

CARDS
UBC - Amy Stelling, GC, 25'

-UC-