VICTORIA – A hunch late salvaged an extra point in a trying weekend for the University of Victoria Vikes.

Vikes Head Coach Tracy David subbed in Natalie Cavallin for Nikki Virk in the 71st minute. The switch paid immediate dividends as Cavallin's first of the season forced a 1-1 draw with the University of Regina Cougars on Friday night at Centennial Stadium.

"The coaching staff thought we needed to change something up. We hoped we could bring someone in to make a difference and that's exactly what happened," said David. "We needed that."

Cavallin quickly got in position to receive a cross from Brea Christie. Her header brought a sense of relief for a frustrated club that was missing the mark all night. 

"On the bench, we knew it was a big moment in the game. I was excited to get in and tried to make a difference. I was happy as a team we figured out how to turn the game around," said Cavallin.

The Vikes struggled to get shots on target against a Cougars' back line that bounced back after a rough go in Vancouver the night before. The Vikes cranked 23 shots in the direction of the cage, but only eight challenged fourth-year keeper Savannah Williams.

Cavallin's header would have stood as the game winner if two fifth years on the Vikes didn't cross their wires in the first half.

Vikes keeper Puck Louwes and defender Rachel Baird miscommunicated on a ball heading toward Louwes.

They couldn't decide who should take it, so instead, Kirsten Finley flicked it in for her first of the season during the 13^th minute.

For the Cougars, they will take goals however they can at this point. They entered the Canada West clash with one goal in their last four games.

It was all Vikes early, as they led the first half in attempts 10-2, four of which came off the head of Trinity Kettyls, who was everywhere around the net.

The third fifth-year for the Vikes Kiara Kilbey had a strong performance last night but nothing to show for it. She launched a powerful strike in the first half tonight, but found iron. The ball soon got crossed back to her for a header, but Williams pounced on it.

Williams best stop came in the 80^th minute with the game in the balance.

Vikes defender Dari Cote had her shot blocked. The rebound came to Emma Skalik in the goal crease. She ripped a one-timer but Williams dove to make the sae and preserve the draw.

"We created chances today, as we did yesterday, but we didn't get lucky enough with the finish. Give Regina credit, too. They were a tough team tonight," said David.

The Vikes (3-1-2) are back in action on the road on Friday, Sept. 27, when they battle the Trinity Western University Spartans (3-0-1) at 5 p.m. Catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by CO-OP.