Antoniuk makes history in Dinos’ season-opening win

CALGARY – Owen Antoniuk scored four times to lead the University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team to a 4-1 win over the MacEwan Griffins in their season opener Saturday at the Shane Homes West Soccer Dome.

It was only the fourth time since 2006 that a player had scored four goals in a Canada West men's soccer match.

"I don't think it can get any better. I set standards to score a lot of goals this year, so scoring four in the first game is not bad. What's more important is the win," Antoniuk said. "We're just going to take it game by game, and this is just one game."

Calgary, ranked No. 4 in the conference's preseason coaches' poll, started strong. Team captain Gianmarco Plenzik tested Griffins' goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka early, forcing a save. The Dinos broke through in the ninth minute when Soliman Aria intercepted a pass in midfield and fed Plenzik, who set up Antoniuk for the opener.

MacEwan answered in the 33rd minute. First-year forward Macky Mahfouz cut through the Dinos' defence and fired a shot off the post and in past goalkeeper Hany Shafie to tie the match 1-1.

The second half belonged to Antoniuk. 

After MacEwan's T-boy Fayia conceded a penalty, Antoniuk converted from the spot to restore Calgary's lead. Fayia later picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the Griffins down a man.

The Dinos quickly capitalized. Spencer McCallum broke down the right wing and delivered a cross to Antoniuk, who completed his hat trick to make it 3-1. Antoniuk added his fourth late in the match, finishing a pass from Arash Mahjor to close out the 4-1 win.

"We still have the taste of losing last year's playoffs in our mouths, so it's in the back of our heads," Antoniuk said. "We're trying to do better than we did last year, but I think we have a team that can win whatever we want to win. It's down to us, and we're going to be an exciting team to watch."

The Dinos continue their opening weekend Sunday against the Alberta Golden Bears at 2 p.m. at the Shane Homes West Soccer Dome. MacEwan will stay in Calgary to face the Mount Royal Cougars at 4 p.m.