EDMONTON – Defence was the story of the game as the UVic Vikes women's field hockey team played to a 0-0 draw against Alberta Pandas Sunday afternoon.

The Vikes were unable to solve Alberta's defence in the second match of the weekend doubleheader as neither team was willing to concede anything at Foote Field.

Game two of the first regular season weekend series, was more or less a replica of game one, except for the score line.

In game one Victoria fifth-year midfielder #Natalie Wise# capitalized on some early Alberta defensive jitters, converting a turnover into the game's only goal.

Whereas the Pandas came out much more composed in their second shot at the defending national champions on Sunday, constantly stalling and frustrating the Vikes' attack.

Vikes goaltender #Kaitlyn Williams# stayed sharp throughout Sunday's game especially when the Pandas had three scoring opportunities midway through the first half on back-to-back penalty corners. Williams gloved away Alberta's Jackie Trautman, the 2008 Canada West rookie of the year, on a high shot with the Pandas' best chance of the game.

After another defensive start to the second half, Wise came close to playing the hero once again, when she took a breakaway pass into the Alberta zone, moved in on Panda's keeper Spencer and shot hard along the ground to the far right post only to have Spencer knock it away.

Wise was dangerous all weekend for the Vikes. While both Williams and Spencer were solid between the goal posts for their respective teams, and both teams boasted strong defences.

The Vikes are now 1-0-1 and will travel to Vancouver on the 26th and 27th to take on UBC's undefeated Thunderbirds (2-0).