After heartbreak, Dinos Women’s Soccer ends season with hardware

By Leigh Patrick with files from Dinos Communications, November 24 2025—

The Dinos women’s soccer team showcased their strength in the final three games of the season, finishing with only one loss throughout the playoff run. In the quarterfinals on Oct. 24, they defeated the Victoria Vikes 1-0, thanks to a stunning goal by fourth-year midfielder Sofia DiGiacomo.

Tensions ran high in the semifinals on Oct. 30 at Ken Woods Field in Vancouver, where the Dinos faced the Trinity Western Spartans. Struggling early, they shifted to a defensive stance as the Spartans took control. However, second-year forward Sarah Donick sparked some momentum and fifth-year defender Brooklyn Colvin nearly broke through to put the Dinos on the board. Despite their resilience, the Dinos ended the half scoreless.

As the second half began, both teams intensified their efforts, resulting in four fouls and a yellow card for the Spartans. The match quickly escalated when second-year forward and Dinos’ leading scorer Brooke Batty entered the field, using her head to try to gain an edge. Although the keeper blocked her attempt, play sped up as the ball bounced rapidly between teams. The Spartans had a chance to take control, but failed to generate the power needed to beat fifth-year keeper Lauren Houghton, who demonstrated her strength with decisive saves and booming kicks that sent the ball deep into Spartan territory.

In the 70th minute, second-year forward Rowyn James nearly scored, narrowly missing the goal on the left side. Though the Dinos maintained pressure, the match remained scoreless. After a series of fouls, substitutions and close calls, the second half wound down with spirits waning. In the 88th minute, fifth-year forward Grace Moore — who had been a formidable presence since entering the game — made a run toward the goal. The crowd held its breath as the ball sailed just inches past the post.

The match went to overtime, with the Dinos favoured to win, but the Spartans refused to back down. The Dinos opened the half with two close calls, including a shot by third-year defender Liz Orubor, and the Spartans responded with aggression and another yellow card. As the match edged into the triple digits, exhaustion was heavy on the field, but the fight remained strong. Moore, in all her forceful glory, charged downfield with a prime shot on goal that the Spartan keeper denied. Undeterred, she tried again two minutes later, only to be stopped once more.

With no goals through 120 minutes, the match and a spot in the Canada West Finals would have to be decided by penalty kicks. Fifth-year midfielder Aislin Phillips gave the Dinos an early lead, but the Spartans eventually secured the win in sudden death.

“We were absolutely gutted,” said Dinos head coach Diogo Raposo.  “We’ve got a special, special group that we felt could go and compete well at nationals and show on that stage. It wasn’t meant to be, but that’s football and that’s life as well.”

The Dinos faced the Mount Royal Cougars for the third time this season, vying to end the season with a win and the bronze medal. Filled with both disappointment and determination, the Dinos returned to the field the next day at 1:30 p.m., and the match erupted with energy as Moore scored the first goal within six minutes of the opening whistle, thanks to a stunning pass from James. 

Setting the tone for success, the Dinos returned to their dominant style. A few corner kicks and shot attempts later, the Dinos struck again. Third-year midfielder Kaleigh Major scored with a long-range shot, giving the team its second goal in the 27th minute of the first half. The Dinos demonstrated their skill as fans and players alike erupted with excitement.

The Cougars, however, were also determined to prove they had skin in the game and fought back to regain some ground before the half ended. They saw a chance in the 37th minute, but couldn’t capitalize. The half concluded with a strong attempt by the Cougars, as a shot went just past the post right before the whistle blew. 

With only 45 minutes left in their season, both teams were determined to give their best on the field. A yellow card to the Dinos emphasized how much they wanted the win. The teams exchanged fouls and shots, keeping the goalkeepers busy and looking for weaknesses in each other’s defences. The Dinos identified and exploited that weakness in the 73rd minute when fifth-year midfielder Jayden Berg teamed up with Phillips to score the third goal of the match.

Although they led by three, the Dinos didn’t just maintain the lead; they pressured the Cougars into difficult situations and seemed to have learned from their earlier loss by avoiding any traps. Fifth-year midfielder Isabella DiPalma delivered a beautiful shot toward the net in the 78th minute, only to be denied by the Cougars’ keeper. 

“Our players, they really do enjoy being together. I think we have an amazing culture, and you saw that on the field, the character, the passion, the heart for each other, but also for the game and the program. I’m really proud of their performance,” said Raposo. 

With bronze medals around their necks and confidence that they had played their best, the Dinos celebrated their 3-0 victory in their last game of the season, marking the end of the season — and an era — for 10 graduating players.