Dinos start season in the right direction

By Kris Kotarski

All things considered, placing a wager on the U of C Dinos women’s soccer team to beat their counterparts from Regina was like placing a wager on the certainty of nightfall. There was absolutely no doubt the wins would come; only the margin of victory remained uncertain.

The Dinos acquitted themselves quite well against their dull University of Regina rivals with a 4-1 victory in the opening game of the season and a 2-0 triumph a day later. Defender Burdine "the Hurricane" Chmilar led the way with two goals on the weekend, including a left-footed goal from half in Sunday’s game.

"I whacked it with my left," smiled Chmilar, "and I’m not sure if it was a shot or a cross."

The ball took a queer bounce on the wet pitch, and found its way into the back of the net.

"My other goal was much nicer," noted Chmilar, who was named Canada West Athlete of the Week. A day before, she placed the ball in the top corner of the Regina net after joining in the attack as an overlapping winger.

"I’m typically not a goal scorer," she continued. "But I usually get a couple of goals a season."

While Regina did not pose much of a threat to the Dinos, Head Coach Robin "Slot Machine" Slot was nevertheless pleased with his team’s play.

"With a little better finishing, the scores could have been higher," he mused. "But it was a good note. With some new players it was good to get them together with the team from last year."

The 2002 Dinos will face a tough test at home on Sept.. 14-15, when they face Saskatchewan and the defending National Champion University of Alberta Pandas in back to back games. Game time is 2 p.m.

G-G-G-Goal Notes:

First Team All-Canadian goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek rejoined the Dinos after a stint with the Ottawa Fury this summer, however, she has yet to play a game because of a knee injury.

Fullback Erin Ramsay has a fracture in her arm, and is out indefinitely.

Look in next week’s goal notes for the inevitable return of the Matt Houston Fan Club.