LANGLEY, B.C. ­– Trinity Western matched up with Calgary at the George Preston Recreation Centre on Friday night, falling 5-2 to the visiting side.
 
The Spartans (2-11-0) were unable to gain control of the game as the Dinos (5-8-0) never surrendered the lead they earned in the first period.
 
Calgary's Alli Borrow led the way for the Dinos, potting two goals while adding a helper to tie Emily Hill's three assists for a game-high of three points on the night. Gabby Durante also stood out for the Dinos, stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to the win.
 
For TWU, Olivia Leier (Regina) and Ashlee Wolfe (Holbein, Sask.) were the two goal scorers while Brooklyn Anderson (Shellbrook, Sask.) assisted on Wolfe's goal. Jadeyn Kastning (Medicine Hat, Alta.) had a busy night, stopping 38 of 43 shots en route to her second loss of the 2021-22 season. Kastning's record now moves to 1-2-0 after Friday's tilt.
 
AS IT HAPPENED
The first period of action saw the Dinos move to an early 2-0 lead. Elizabeth Lang opened the game's scoring at the midway point of the period. Soon after, Holly Reuther joined Lang on the scoresheet, tipping a shot off a well-worked rush by Jordyn Burgar. The period wrapped up at a 2-0 score favouring the Dinos.
 
The second period of play was completely different when stacked up beside the first. Filled with blistering pace and physicality, it was Olivia Leier (Regina) who brought the Spartans within one, snatching up the puck in the high slot after Reilley Kellner's (Langley, B.C.) rush down the left wing. Leier roofed the puck past Dinos goaltender Gabby Durante as the George Preston erupted in response. Leier's marker was the lone goal of the period.
 
The third period started with Calgary reclaiming their two-goal lead as Anna Meier streaked down the right wing, rifling one past Jadeyn Kastning (Medicine Hat, Alta.) in style. Only two minutes later, Ashlee Wolfe (Holbein, Sask.) squeaked the puck past Gabby Durante to bring Friday's tilt to 3-2 favouring the visiting Dinos. With another momentum-building goal to their name, the Spartans ran flat while the Dinos started firing. Calgary's Alli Borrow went on to score two more unanswered goals, bringing the match to a 5-2 close in favour of the Dinos.

 
NOTABLE

• Olivia Leier has had a strong rookie season. Friday's marker stands as her third of the season.
• The Spartans rode the wave of Brooklyn Anderson and Neisha Germann (Lloydminster, Alta.) on Friday. Both forwards stood out, using their speed

QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Jean Laforest
"You hate using excuses on a night like tonight, blaming the game on our missing personnel, but we were down to three lines and that's the reality we had to face. We were down to three lines, and we missed some key players. People must step up, so we saw exactly what our depth is. We need to make sure we show up and be the best we possibly can be. Being an expansion team isn't easy. We know we're heading into some games knowing that we're facing a depth disadvantage. Still, we can't let that impact our culture or our outlook.
 
"The losses aren't pleasant, but our fate lies in how we move forward. We know the bright days are ahead here. My heart bleeds for the girls, they want to be successful, but we need to make sure we give them the personnel for them to do so."
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans are set to rematch the Dinos on Saturday (7:15 p.m.) at the George Preston Recreation Centre.
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 29 Canada West team championships.
 
-TW-