VANCOUVER - A sizeable, supportive home crowd and a second-half resurgence were not enough to lift the UBC Thunderbirds women's rugby club (0-2) past the dominant Calgary Dinos (2-0) on Sunday afternoon at Wolfson Field. The 36-10 loss marks the 'Birds second in as many games, adding pressure to their remaining matches in a short 2016 CIS season. 

UBC scrum-half Kassi Welch and co-captain Mackenzie Lee ran in the team's pair of second-half tries, while the Dinos played a consistently strong game with six different players finding the 'Birds in-goal area. 

Though he noted some successful aspects to Saturday's performance, UBC head coach Dean Murten believes his team needs to be more physically present through the full 80-minutes. 



"We played some good rugby at times, [but] unfortunately we made some basic errors. If we can just add more consistency and aggression [because] these bigger teams are dominating us in the contact area." 

Murten also acknowledged how crucial next week's game against Alberta (1-0) will be, and feels his team is capable of rising to the challenge.

"It's a short season, and it's tough to do all the things you want to. Their going in the right direction. It's a young team, [and] I'm happy with the commitment their putting in," he said. 

Lee, who blasted her way past the Dinos in the 60th minute to score UBC's second try, felt her team improved from last weekend's loss to Victoria (1-1). She admitted that some of that boost can be attributed to the strong fan presence. 



"It was really cool. It's one of the biggest crowds we have had. Hearing them cheering gave me the drive to keep going that few extra yards," said Mackenzie. 

The Dinos pushed hard in the opening portion of the first half, hovering within a few yards of the T-Birds try line. Kasselle Menin finally carried in the Dinos' opening try in the 18th minute, with Elysa Sandron and Temitope Ogunjimi adding two more by halftime. A successful conversion late in the half gave Calgary a commanding 17-0 lead after 40. 

The T-Birds muscled their way towards Calgary's zone in the 52nd minute, allowing Welch to drive in her team's first try of the match. A successful conversion from Nicole Mallow gave UBC a much needed seven points.  



By the time Lee made her formidable run and try in the 60th minute, the Dinos had reached a commanding 31-10 lead. Calgary's Emily Tuttosi laid down a final try seven minutes later, securing the 36-10 finish. 

UBC will be on the hunt for their first 'W' when they host the Alberta Pandas on Sunday, October 2 at Wolfson Field. 

Calgary will host Lethbridge (0-1) the same day, marking their first home game of the 2016 season.