VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes women's field hockey booked their ticket to the 2014 CIS national championship today with a  3-0 win over the visiting Calgary Dinos in their home opener on Oct. 4. With the win the Vikes remain undefeated with a 3-0-2 record, while the Dinos fall 0-5 in the Canada West.
 
The Vikes received first half goals from each of Alanna Macdonald and Amanda Kurianowicz, while Lizzie Yates notched one in the second. Looking closer, the Vikes tallied three times on a total of 28 shots on goal and 21 penalty corners in the game. Regardless, keeper Sheriden Goodmanson logged her first shut out as the Vikes managed to limit any and all Calgary offensive opportunities.
 
The Dinos, who boast more than half of their team in first year, rarely got into the Victoria defensive end but fourth-year goalkeeper Alicia Frisch was outstanding between the pipes. The University of Maine transfer posted 25 saves in her 70 minutes of play, allowing only two deflection goals and one goalmouth scramble to beat her. Third years Janelle Rice and Jessica Britton were also key for Calgary, helping keep Victoria's damage to a minimum.
 
"We definitely need to apply ourselves better," said Henre Meyer, head coach of Calgary. "Victoria were moving the ball really well and it was a fast and competitive game.  We had a good ratio, given that we made a lot of saves on their many corners but those types of chances are definitely something we would like to limit."
 
In the opening half it was the Dinos who had the first circle penetration of the game, smashing a ball through the circle that was then deflected in at the far post. The cross was quickly deemed too high and the Vikes gathered their calm. It was all Victoria from there with the home team putting 26 shots, 15 on target, in the opening 35 minutes.  
 
Frisch was more than up to the task, stuffing the Vikes on 13 attempts, while Calgary failed to get into the Victoria end zone since their opening play.
 
The Vikes took 17 minutes to get on the board when rookie Lindsay Cole crafted her way into the circle. The Mount Douglas Secondary grad let go of a back-hand shot that was perfectly deflected through the legs of Frisch by Macdonald for the go-ahead goal.
 
Minutes later and Cole was at it again this time collecting a ball in the circle on her forehand but the one-time shot out of the air went just wide and high of the goal.
 
The Vikes mustered up nine penalty corners, only finding finish in the 26^th minute on a follow up scramble. Lizzie Yates collected the ball on the right hand side of the goal and smashed a ball that was deflected effortlessly into the top shelf by Kurianowicz for the 2-0 lead.
 
The Vikes forced 13 saves out of Frisch in the first half and held on to their 2-0 lead at the break.
 
In the second half it was much of the same story as the Vikes seemed plagued by opportunity but unable to capitalize. The Dinos stayed very compact in their 25-yard area, limiting the space for the Vikes. That defensive unit started up front with solid running from third-year striker Nadia Izzo and rookie Emily Doucette. Britton quarterbacked the defence line, while Frisch continued to stymie Vikes chances.
 
Victoria had 12 second-half penalty corners that they were again, unable to capitalize. Some good options at the top of the circle allowed shots from Rosie Beale, Annie Walters-Shumka, Kristina Walters-Shumka and Yates but each were unable to beat Frisch.
 
In the 44^th minute, a scramble finally led to a tap in by Yates to get the Vikes up 3-0 but that was the end of the scoring.
 
"We had a lot of shots and we really couldn't capitalize but one of our goals was to generate short corners and we did that," said third-year Vikes midfielder Andrea Jones who was pivotal in the center of the pitch. "We definitely need to work on our finish but today's game was a team effort and we really came together well. Tomorrow we just need to continue to work the small ball and to move more to generate space for us to finish."
 
The Vikes and Dinos will play each other one more time tomorrow, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. at UVic's field hockey turf. Today's win guarantees the Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds a spot at the CIS national championship, hosted in Toronto, Ont. The Vikes and 'Birds will battle it out next week, Oct. 17-18, for the Canada West title and their seeding at nationals. 

SCORING SUMMARY
CGY: 0 - 0 : 0
UVIC: 2 - 1 : 3

GOAL SCORERS
UVIC: Alanna Macdonald (17'), Amanda Kurianowicz (26'), Lizzie Yates (44')

GOAL KEEPING
CGY: Alicia Frisch, 70 MP, 3 GA, 25 Saves
UVIC: Sheriden Goodmanson 70 MP, 0 GA, 0 Saves