Dinos overcome scoring drought with defensive grit to secure home playoff game
By Leigh Patrick with files from Dinos Communications, October 11 2025—
Coming off a weekend of successes, the Dinos’ women’s soccer team was ready to continue its streak, remaining undefeated. Fans watched anxiously, wondering if the Dinos would extend their streak or crack under the pressure — the need to win saturated the air, riling up the crowd and the teams.
The Saskatchewan Huskies and Calgary Dinos faced off at the Calgary Soccer Center, with the Huskies showing strong defence despite being outshot 14-4 in the first half. Defender Mykena Walker and forward Grace Moore frequently broke through to support striker Brooklyn Batty, who was double-teamed. The half ended in a 0-0 draw, tensions high.
Dinos came out swinging in the second half, but so did the Huskies, who forced the Dinos into playing a more defensive game and balancing ball possession between the teams. As the Dinos created chances, a near goal flagged offside had everyone biting their nails. Failing to convert numerous chances from key players like Batty, Moore and fourth-year midfielder Sofia DiGiacomo, the game came to an end with a 0-0 draw, marking the first game this season the Dinos women’s soccer team has not scored.
“I think it’s a lost opportunity when you play so well in the first half,” reflected head coach Diogo Raposo. “We’ve got to bury more of our chances to make things easier for ourselves.”
Sunday brought a fresh start on the familiar field of McMahon as the Dinos faced off against the Regina Cougars. Back at their home fortress of McMahon, the Dinos aimed to prove Saturday was a fluke.
However, it seemed the Dinos had hit a drought as the first half of the game played out, and not a single goal was scored. Dinos took shot after shot as the Cougars moved in and saw the gaps, forcing fourth-year keeper Anna Demarbre to make some incredible saves.
“Anna really kept us in with big critical saves that could have changed the outcome of the game for sure,” said DiGiacomo.
DiGiacomo remained snake-bitten after a header shot went wide right; she hit the crossbar — the latest in three or four crossbars she has hit this season. Frustration mounted — success was close, but just out of reach.
By halftime, there were no goals in sight for either team. The Cougars held more shots on goal at this point, though the Dinos had taken more shots overall. It was tight, the crowd was rowdy and it seemed the drought would continue.
“It’s a tough part of the season. We’ve got lots of injuries, lots of players playing out of position, so it’s about getting that flow again,” said Raposo.
And find that flow, they did. As the second half began, the Dinos looked sharper and in sync. After a close call with Demarbre coming in clutch, the Dinos surged forward with renewed focus. Always a threat, Walker made a powerful strike and scored the match’s opening goal eight minutes into the half, bringing her season total to two, with an assist from the fifth-year midfielder, Isabella DiPalma. Riding a wave of confidence, the Dinos doubled their lead moments later. DiGiacomo slotted her second goal of the season, curing her bad luck and sealing the win.
“It was a relief,” said DiGiacomo. “I’ve had a lot of chances getting the right areas, just needed to put it away. So very happy to do so with that one.”
The Cougars were thrown and unable to recover after two goals were scored on them in such close succession. Dinos’ defence was strong and nearly unbreakable in the second half, letting keeper Demarbre have a little breathing room. Keeping the game mostly in the Cougars’ half, the Dinos continued to take shots, getting close but with no success. But the short burst of luck and skill was enough for the Dinos to sail into a 2-0 win.
Raposo was proud of the win but also emphasized the need for a shift in mental approach during this difficult period. “Just being brave enough to make mistakes and more willing to make mistakes,” said Raposo. “I just reminded them how good they can be if we’re doing the little things right.”
We’ve seen the team grow throughout the season and will follow them next week on Friday as they battle the Mount Royal Cougars, who are currently in second place in the Prairie Division, just behind the Dinos.
“We love that we’re playing them at home,” said Raposo. “We’ve secured a home playoff game right now, based on today’s win, so that’s huge, so we’ll just worry about us and we’ll be ready for that game.”
The drought is over, the rhythm is back — and the Dinos know exactly how good they can be when the basics click.