BUTTRESS LIFTS VIKES OVER PANDAS

By Philippe Granger

The UVic Vikes women’s field hockey team capped off the weekend series against the visiting Alberta Pandas with a 1-0 victory today.

The Vikes maintained good pressure and ball possession throughout the game but only managed to put one goal past Alberta’s solid defense and Pandas ‘keeper Tory Spencer.

Vikes’ third-year forward Angela Buttress hammered home the game-winner off some pretty passing in the Pandas ‘d’ that started from a penalty corner.

The Pandas managed only one goal past the Vikes defense this weekend, with Katie Tittler and Perri Espeseth quarterbacking the back end; Vikes coach Lynne Beecroft was pleased with the improvements from last year.

“[Tittler and Espeseth] are balanced, helping one another out, and they’re communicating well. They just have great composure this year.”

The Vikes are now 3-2-3 on the season and sit in second place in the Canada West Standings.

The Vikes will travel to Calgary next weekend to take on the Dinos for a double header on Saturday and Sunday. Both games will start at 1 p.m.

WILLIAMS SHUTS OUT DINOS WEEKEND

By Philippe Granger

UVic Vikes women’s field hockey goalie Kaitlyn Williams capped off an impressive weekend on Sunday morning holding the Calgary Dinos scoreless in a 0-0 draw.

Both ‘keepers looked solid in net shutting down offensive surges and recorded shutouts.

A close call came for the Vikes in the first half when it appeared as though the visitors had broken the deadlock. The goal was called back however, due to the assist coming from a Calgary player’s foot.

The Vikes finish off the weekend series unbeaten at 1-0-1 against the Dinos and are now 2-2-2 this season.

Vikes coach Lynne Beecroft pointed out that her side still has some work to do but have progressed in recent weeks. “This team is a really hard working group and I think they’ll be up for the challenge before we get to nationals.”

The Vikes won’t be doing any traveling this week as they welcome the third place Alberta Pandas next weekend. The games are scheduled for 11am on UVic’s turf field.

On Saturday, playing in front of their home fans for the first time this season, team edged out the Calgary Dinos 1-0.

Although the Vikes had many chances inside the Dinos’ D. Only one shot managed to slip by Calgary ‘keeper Stephanie Petrowitsch. Vikes fourth year Perri Espeseth scored the lone goal late in the first half off a penalty corner from Natalie Wise.

The Vikes came out looking sharp early and put the Dinos on the back foot. The bursts of Vikes offensive pressure kept the Dinos pinned in there own end but after Calgary warmed up a bit, the game went back and forth with good scoring chances at both ends of the pitch.

“I thought we played well for the first 15 minutes, but the team is still coming

together,” said Vikes coach Lynne Beecroft.

Vikes goaltender Kaitlyn Williams looked sharp and recorded her third shutout of the season stopping all shots that flew her way.

“[Williams] has had a really good season so far,” commented coach Beecroft on the former CIS rookie of the year. “She’s given up just three goals and she’s on pace for being one of the top players.”

After the game, Director of Athletics and Recreation, Clint Hamilton presented the reigning women’s field hockey team with their 11th CIS Women’s Field Hockey Champions banner, which is now displayed among the others at the turf field.