Horns women's rugby third in Canada West

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:29:48 +0000

For the second consecutive year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team has had to settle for a third place finish at the Canada West Championships, downing the UBC Thunderbirds 33-22 on Sunday afternoon.

Kara Loewen recorded two tries, while Tiffany Wideen, Sam Wright and Nicole Ronsky each added singles for the Pronghorns. Wideen also converted four of the five Pronghorn tries. Gillian Boag, Gabrielle Hindley, Catherine Ohler and Mackenzie Lee responded with tries for the T-Birds. Ohler was also credited with a convert.

Looking to rebound from a disappointing 29-18 loss to the Calgary Dinos in the second semifinal Friday afternoon, the Pronghorns stormed out of the gate, pushing the Thunderbirds deep into their own end. After the T-Birds held a ball up in the end zone once, the Horns kept the pressure on and were finally rewarded with a try less than five minutes in. Sam Wright touched the ball down and Wideen made the convert.

With the ball bouncing down the field, Kara Loewen snatched the ball in full flight, broke a T-Birds tackle and raced for the 'Horns second try. Second-year winger Nicole Ronsky scored the Horns' third try of the half, racing 45 yards past all T-Birds defenders. Wideen hit for her third convert.

UBC stormed back with 12 unanswered points to make the score close. A string of solid passes across the field sprung Mackenize Lee, who touched the ball down for the T-Birds' first score. Ohler then hit the convert.

Before the half was out, fourth-year scrum half Gabrielle Hindly scored an unconverted try to cut the Horns' lead to 21-12 at the half.

The U of L continued its strong play in the second half with Wideen scoring her own converted try, while Loewen recorded her second of the day a short time later, outracing T-Birds defenders after the ball was kicked into the end zone.

Not going down without a fight, UBC stormed back with two tries of their own to account for the final score.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas later won the championship game over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos to advance to the CIS National Women's Rugby Championships later this month in Quebec.

Pronghorn Athletics set to celebrate busiest weekend in history

trevor.kenney — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:23:59 +0000

Hosting a Canada West Championship automatically makes it a big weekend for Pronghorn Athletics but when another five teams are added to the mix, it makes for something even larger.

"It is a big weekend for us," says Sandy Slavin, executive director of Sport and Recreation Services. "For the staff it will be busy but for the fans it will be fun and exciting."

Beginning Friday, Oct. 22 and concluding Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, the U of L campus will see 14 games contested, featuring five Pronghorns teams, all highlighted by the Canada West Women's Rugby Championship.

"Because some of our seasons are so short in duration, at times it is hard to avoid these overlaps between teams," says Slavin. "So for us to host 14 games in one three-day stretch, including a Canada West Championship, is a biggie."

In addition to the women's rugby program seeking its fourth consecutive Canada West title, Pronghorns men's and women's basketball teams are in action as they host their Canada West season openers. The Horns women's hockey team invites ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas to town for a pair of games and the men's and women's soccer programs each play two-game sets as they conclude their Canada West home schedules.

The only Horns team not playing on home soil is the men's hockey team, which heads to Edmonton to play ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta on the road.

"There is a lot of excitement in the office about it," says Slavin. "We are fortunate we have a number of rugby alumni that have come forward and are helping us plan the Canada West banquet, as well as help out at the stadium during the games.

"A number of the girls registered in our Rugby Academy are also stepping forward to help as ball girls for the games."

There will be a big alumni presence all weekend, and the opportunity to showcase U of L athletics facilities, all brimming with action, is the perfect way to showcase Pronghorn Athletics to the broader community.

Slavin says special ticketing prices are being offered to bring people to campus.

"We are offering some flexible ticketing packages to encourage people to get out to as many games as possible."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni are also eligible to purchase a weekend pass for $10, allowing them to attend any of the Pronghorn games. These passes can be picked up at the Sport and Recreation Department. There will also be a tailgate BBQ on Sunday at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium.

"It should be a great weekend," adds Slavin. "Our rugby team is the most successful team in the country the last three years and now they get an opportunity to showcase themselves at the new stadium in front of a hometown crowd. Everybody's very excited about our basketball teams this year, so we expect enthusiastic crowds at the gym both nights, and the women's hockey program continues moving forward and it's always a great weekend when the Pandas come to town."

Following is the weekend schedule

Canada West Rugby Championships at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium
- Friday October 22nd

11:00am – Semi-Final 1 (Pronghorns vs. #4 Seed)

1:00pm – Semi-Final 2 (#2 Seed vs. #3 Seed)

- Sunday October 24th

11:00am – Bronze Medal Game

1:00pm – Championship Game

Pronghorn Men's & Women's Basketball Home Opener at the 1st Choice Savings Centre
- Friday October 22nd

6:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

8:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

- Saturday October 23rd

6:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

8:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Pronghorn Men's & Women's Soccer at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium
- Saturday October 23rd

12:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

2:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

- Sunday October 24th

12:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan

2:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan

Pronghorn Women's Hockey at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Arena
- Friday October 22nd

7:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Hockey vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

- Saturday October 23rd

7:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Hockey vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

UNews - Canada West Rugby Championships

Horns women's rugby third in Canada West

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