WSOC: Barlow, Digiacomo terrific as Dinos bounce Pandas 3-2 in stoppage time

EDMONTON - Sofia Digiacomo played hero for the visiting Calgary Dinos as she scored a 90'+5 stoppage time goal to lift the Dinos over the Alberta Pandas 3-2 in Saturdays Quarterfinal matchup at Foote Field.

It was a close match throughout, with the Dinos being largely led by a phenomenal performance from Rachel Barlow who scored and added two assists. The Pandas were paced by Brooke Lang who had assists on both Pandas goals, and McKayla Brault who scored the opener.

It was subprime conditions at Foote Field Saturday, as the players had to battle through winds that gusted up to 50 km/h.

Alberta started hot out of the gate, getting a remarkable three shots on Leask in the first minute of action. The Dinos keeper pushed two aside including a remarkable save on the Pandas Wanda Czebreziuk from near the goal-line.

The Pandas would maintain intense pressure in the first five minutes, eventually leading to a break in the Dinos line and Brault would put one past Leask for an early 1-0 Pandas lead. Brooke Lang set the goal up with a beautiful through ball that found the feet of Brault.

High-tempo pressing from the home side saw Alberta dominate the first 20 minutes of play outshooting Calgary 9-3. However a nifty on-field change from the Dinos coaches saw Canada West First-Teamer Barlow change flanks and with it shift the momentum towards the visitors.

The Dinos would dominate the latter part of the first half, beginning with a great run by Barlow down the left flank in the 29th minute that would lead to an untimely Pandas tackle and with it a penalty. Barlow would make no mistake from the spot for her seventh goal across all CW competition to nod the game up at one.

The score would remain into halftime with both teams controlling the game at points during the first half.

The excitement in the first half would be nothing compared to the fireworks in the second. While relatively quiet for the first 20 minutes, the game would pick up steam when Ella Djuranic subbed on in the 71st minute and instantly scored a header off a Barlow set piece to give the Dinos a 2-1 advantage with 20 minutes remaining.

The lead would not last long however as Czebreziuk equalized just five minutes later, heading home a set piece cross from Lang for her second assist of the game.

An incredible second half seemed destined for extra time or even penalties, but due to some Pandas injuries the stoppage time was lengthier than usual at a hefty five minutes. The Dinos would need all five to secure a corner with the clock dwindling down, and Barlow promptly sent a perfect ball into the box finding the foot of holding midfielder Digiacomo who sent it past Wynn for a dramatic 90'+5 minute goal to send the Dinos to the Canada West Final Four.

For the Pandas, they finish up a second place Prairie Division campaign with a regular season and playoff record of 9-5-1. The Dinos will face a 13-1 UBC Squad in Vancouver after there were no Prairie winners in the quarterfinals.