By Mike Hallman
From Oct. 3-5, the University of Alberta hosted the second of three Canada West field hockey tournaments. The Dinos once again put on an impressive performance, arguably performing better than they did at the opening tournament. That is, they played better against a team better than them, yet they played worse against a team worse than them.
The Dinos opened the weekend by severely trouncing the University of Manitoba once again, by a score of 8-0.
The Dinos managed to tie the University of Victoria Vikes with both teams scoring twice.
At the first Canada West tournament the Dinos lost to the Vikes, so this time around demonstrates an improvement.
In the third match of the weekend, the Dinos tied the host Pandas, at a goal apiece, a step back from the first Canada West tournament where they emerged victorious in the Battle of Alberta.
The Dinos lost once again to the University of British Columbia. This loss did not come as a complete surprise, as the Thunderbirds are tops in the nation, having only lost one game all season.
Key players on the team this past weekend were Natalie Peterson, Clare Linton, and Liz Allen, though they carried a heavier load than usual.
"It hurt not having Stephanie Maxwell for the weekend," said Coach Anne Kromm about missing a key member of the squad.
After the second Canada West tournament, the Dinos are in third place with 11 points, behind UBC and the University of Victoria. The Pandas are close behind, sitting in fourth with eight points.
With only the top two teams going to nationals, it is crucial the Dinos manage to battle into second place at the third Canada West tournament. This will be no easy task.