By Russ Dyck
“The last time the women’s soccer team started a season with a record like this, the Berlin Wall was still standing,” a former Gauntlet sports writer stated earlier this week.
Head Coach Robin Slot was quick to disagree.
"The last time we had started a season with a slow start was the 1998/99 season and we ended up winning nationals."
The team currently stands at 0-1-1 after a loss in Edmonton Fri., Sept. 12 and a tie in Saskatoon the following Sun., Sept. 14.
In their season opener against the University of Alberta Pandas, the women soccersaurs conceded defeat like so many Frenchmen, offering up a small and ineffective resistance with a late goal by Cathy Alcock ending the game 3-1.
A different story unfolded in Saskatoon, where the Dinos pressured the Huskies offensively throughout the first half, allowing only one shot on net and taking a 1-0 lead courtesy a goal by Stephanie Hoogveld. The Huskies turned the tables during the second half however, scoring a goal and making sure the Dinos didn’t get another.
"I was pleased with our games in Edmonton and Saskatoon," recalled Slot. "But we just couldn’t convert on our dead balls when it counted."
The Dinos have their first home game against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns this Saturday at noon at Foothills Athletic Park. On Sunday they will travel to Lethbridge to play on the Pronghorn’s turf.
"If we play like we did in Edmonton and Saskatoon, next week, our record should be 2‑1‑1," Slot stated confidently.