Calgary Wild FC extends unbeaten streak to five after draw against Vancouver

Calgary Wild FC extended their unbeaten streak to five matches Saturday, battling to a 2-2 draw against Vancouver Rise FC after the home side scored in stoppage time to split the points.

“We didn’t play our best, but we put ourselves in a position to win. The team is disappointed it came down to the last kick of the game,” said assistant coach Kory Babington. “Five weeks ago, they would have been happy, but now they’re disappointed. It shows how far we’ve come.”

The Wild opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Serita Thurton pounced on a rebound and fired it past the Vancouver goalkeeper to give Calgary an early 1-0 advantage.

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The Rise responded in the 39th minute when Quinn converted from the penalty spot to level the match.

Calgary quickly regained the lead just three minutes later. Kahli Johnson battled to win the ball and found the back of the net in the 42nd minute, sending the Wild into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

The two sides traded possession and chances throughout the second half, with Calgary holding onto a one-goal advantage deep into the match.

Vancouver found the equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as Jessica De Filippo scored to bring the match level at 2-2 and deny the Wild all three points.

“Vancouver has good players and great depth,” added Babington. “We are disappointed with dropping points against a good team, but (our girls’) standards and belief are now higher than five or six weeks ago.”

Saturday’s match marked the professional debut of Calgary goalkeeper Sarah Keilty-Dilling – one of first signings in the history of the club from the Wild Rose province.

“My wife flew in to watch, and at 33, getting your pro debut is a little later than most, but I’m really thrilled,” said Keilty-Dilling. “I can’t say enough about the women laying their bodies out in front of me. They gave everything to get that win for me. It’s huge, especially with the way we started the year. The vibes in the room are upwards. It’s been great. Just disappointed not to get three points, but to come away with a point in a tough environment, we have to be happy.”

The result marks Calgary’s second consecutive 2-2 draw and extends the club’s unbeaten run to five matches after going winless in their first 14 matches of the season.

The Wild’s current streak began with a 4-0 victory over Club Soccer Mont-Royal Outremont in the Women’s Canadian Championship. Calgary then earned a 3-2 road win over Vancouver Rise FC before returning home to defeat league-leading Ottawa Rapid FC 4-3 in a thrilling contest.