EDMONTON – Two first half goals from fifth-year midfielder Montana Leonard were enough to power the visiting Calgary Dinos to a 2-1 win over the Alberta Pandas, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.
 
The Richmond, B.C. product scored in the 26^th and 44^th minutes, giving the Dinos an early lead they would never relinquish.
 
Brooke Lang scored the lone Pandas goal in the 86^th minute - the Pandas first goal this season - on a penalty kick.
 
The win for the Dinos (2-0-0) is their second in 2021, after a 3-0 shutout win over Mount Royal last weekend in Calgary. The Pandas, meanwhile, open their season with back-to-back losses, after they dropped their season opener to MacEwan last Saturday.
 

QUICK HITTERS

• The goals were Leonard's second and third on the season, as she quickly jumps atop the CW goal scoring race. Leonard also scored in the Dinos season opener.
• This was the first meeting between the Pandas and Dinos since October 21, 2018. The two sides didn't meet in conference play in 2019, with the 2020 season being cancelled.
• Alberta and Calgary will meet twice more this season (October 16 & 17), with all three matchups taking place at Foote Field.

The Dinos, ranked third in the pre-season coaches poll, were the dominate side in the first half. The visitors fired seven shots towards the Alberta net, four of which found the target, with a pair finding the mesh.
 

PSOC ????@UCDinos strike first (26') after @PandasSoccer put up a ton of pressure in the first 20 minutes. Miscommunication just outside the box, leads to the goal. #GreenandGold #BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/UVq2omYMis

— UAlberta Golden Bears & Pandas (@BearsandPandas) September 11, 2021

 
Unlike the previous week's shutout loss at MacEwan, the Pandas were able to mount a late surge in the second half on Saturday. Mounted pressure by Alberta led to a foul inside the box by Amy Mikuska, setting up Lang's penalty strike in the 86^th.
 
Dinos keeper Lauren Houghton, however, was able to make a pair of late saves, securing the Calgary win.
 

PSOC????
Brooke Lang awarded a penalty kick and she converts!!
86th minute and @PandasSoccer trail @UCDinos 2-1. #GreenandGold pic.twitter.com/YG8WDGssoW

— UAlberta Golden Bears & Pandas (@BearsandPandas) September 11, 2021

 
The Pandas will be back in action tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., as they host the Lethbridge Pronghorns at Foote Field. The Dinos will stay in Edmonton on Sunday, visiting MacEwan.