The Martlet

The Vikes women’s field hockey team hosted the University of Calgary Dinos in their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 3, proving the team has what it takes to stay on top.

The double-header was the third one for the Vikes this season, after dropping two games at UBC last weekend and posting a win and a tie two weeks ago in Alberta.

On Saturday morning, the Vikes walked off the turf with a 1-0 victory over the Dinos. Fourth-year defender Perri Espeseth’s powerful shot on a penalty corner put the home team ahead in the first half. Espeseth was a solid force for the Vikes over the weekend, as the entire defensive line effectively kept the Dinos’ forwards at bay.

The Vikes’ three fifth-year players, Natalie Wise, Katie Collison and Katie Tittler, led the home team’s attack, as the Vikes controlled the majority of the play and maintained their lead. Goaltender and 2007’s CIS Rookie of the Year Kaitlyn Williams shone throughout the match, with several key saves in both halves.

Sunday’s game resulted in goal-less tie, as the visiting team managed to gain several penalty corners in the early minutes. Again, Williams’s skill was outstanding, as she warded off the early offensive charge by the Dinos.

The Vikes showed their skill with a number of offensive attacks in the second half, but were unable to produce as many scoring opportunities as the day before.

Rookie Kyla Kirby had a standout performance, offering both skill and confidence in her first CIS game on the Vikes’ home field. Playing as a defender and a mid-fielder, Kirby both thwarted a number of Calgary’s scoring attempts and generated offensive opportunities for the Vikes.

UVic’s record now stands at 2-2-2, as they begin the second half of their regular season.

The Vikes play another double-header at home next weekend against the Alberta Pandas, when they will attempt to gain ground on the Canada West conference leader, the UBC Thunderbirds.

Both of the games against the Alberta Pandas start at 11:00 a.m., and will be crucial as the Vikes move into the final series of matches before November’s CIS Championships.