UNews - UBC Thunderbirds

Horns women's hockey team looks to get back on track

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:08:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team returns to action this week after their first half bye a week ago, hosting the Manitoba Bisons for a pair of games at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

The bye could not have come at a better time for the Horns, having lost three games in a row, including being swept by the Alberta Pandas in their last conference action in Edmonton.

The Pronghorns will look to limit scoring chances this weekend when they host the Manitoba Bisons for a two-game set at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Those two losses to the Pandas dropped the Horns to two games under .500 and they currently sit sixth in the conference with a record of 3-5-2. While the conference has seen some separation in the standings in the past few weeks, only eight points separate the first place Saskatchewan Huskies and UBC Thunderbirds and seventh place Calgary Dinos.

If the Horns are going to make a move up the standings this season, they will need to shore up their defensive game. The Horns are tied for the most goals allowed in the conference with 31. Shauntelle Williams and Crystal Patterson have split the goaltending duties thus far, with both starting five contests, but neither of them rank among the top ten in Canada West goals against averages.

Another area of concern for the Horns is the team’s specialty team units. Currently, the Pronghorns are ranked last in the conference in penalty killing (79.5%) and seventh in power play (98.1%).

Offensively, the Horns have scored 21 goals in 10 games are led by the trio of Sadie Lenstra, Sarah Spence and Kirsten Reeves. Lenstra has four goals and two assists, while Spence and Reeves each have six points.

For the Bisons, the 2013-14 season has been up and down through the first five weekends of action, and they sit one spot above the Horns in fifth place with a 5-4-1 record. Despite splitting their last two series with the Calgary Dinos and Regina Cougars, the Bisons have earned at least one point every weekend thus far.

The Bisons rank in the middle of the pack in both goals for and goals against with 22 and 21 respectively, but have the third best penalty killing unit in the conference, killing off 91% of their penalties.

Between the pipes, the Bisons have had three different goaltenders see action but rookie Amanda Schubert has the superior numbers of the three. In five appearances, Schubert has a 1.29 goals-against-average and a 0.942 save percentage.

Meagan Vestby leads the Bison offensive attack with one goal and a conference best 11 assists. Kyleigh Palmer and Maggie Litchfield-Medd lead the team in goals with four apiece.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday night’s games are scheduled for 7 p.m. and the games will also be streamed live on http://canadawest.tv

Wideen, Slomp earn Athlete of the Week honours

trevor.kenney — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 21:08:36 +0000

Tiffany Wideen and Scott Slomp were named Pronghorn Subway Athletes of the Week following weekend Canada West athletics action.

A fourth-year centre on the Pronghorns women's rugby team, Wideen led the Pronghorns to a third place finish at the Canada West Championship tournament, earning her recognition as the female Athlete of the Week.

Wideen scored a team high 21 points in the Horns two games. In addition to kicking the ball well all weekend, for both points and field position, Wideen also led the Horns' defensive effort.

In the club's heartbreaking 29-18 semifinal loss to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos, Wideen kicked two penalty goals and converted one of the Horns two tries on the day. On Sunday, in the third place game, Wideen scored one try and hit four converts to lead the Horns to a 33-22 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds.

On the men's side, Slomp, a fourth-year defender, provided fantastic defence and exceptional leadership for the Horns, who lost both games on the road this past weekend.

Slomp has played every minute of every game since transferring from Lethbridge College after one season and in 13 games this season he has recorded five shots on goal.

Hockey Horns battle Dinos on two fronts

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 17:57:14 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's and women's hockey programs will ge toe-to-toe with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos this weekend, each team playing home-and-home series that sees them alternate games at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Men's Hockey

It’s been a long six weeks, but the Pronghorns men’s hockey team (0-2-0) will finally skate on home ice, making a brief one game appearance in Lethbridge before embarking on another five game road swing. The ‘Horns host the CIS fourth ranked Calgary Dinos (4-0-0) Friday night in the front half of a home-and-home series. The puck drops at 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena, with free tickets available to students at the U of L's Customer Service Desk in the 1st Choice Savings Centre.

After a bye left them idle on the opening weekend of the conference schedule, the Horns opened their Canada West season with a disappointing road trip to Regina, losing 6-0 and 5-1 to the Cougars.

Sophomore defender Tim Campbell scored the lone goal for the Horns, while goaltender Dylan Tait suffered the loss in both games.

For the fourth-ranked Dinos, the 2013 season has started perfectly, sweeping both of their series to date. After sweeping the Regina Cougars in Regina two weeks ago, the Dinos beat the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend. Through four games, the Dinos have scored 21 goals while surrendering just nine.

Pronghorn Athletics is partnering with Kid’s Sport this men’s hockey season in a campaign to raise money to support sending kids to sport camps. Kid’s Sport is the official charity of Canada West and Pronghorn Athletics will be supporting the great work Kid’s Sport does in the community by supporting a “Score for Camps” campaign this year. Building on the idea of third-year forward Cass Mappin, a donation, valueing the average cost of sending a child to camp, will be made to Kid’s Sport for every home goal scored by the Pronghorns men’s hockey team during the 2013-2014 season.

Women's Hockey

Coming off a tough home weekend last time out, the Pronghorns women’s hockey team (1-1-2) looks to rebound in their home-and-home series with the Dinos (1-2-1).

The weekend set begins Friday night in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena with the second game going in Lethbridge Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop for both nights is set for 7 p.m.

Last weekend, the Horns earned just a single point in their series with the CIS fifth ranked Regina Cougars, losing 5-1 and then 2-1 in a shootout. The Horns will need to shore up their defensive game if they are going to be successful this season. Through four games, the ‘Horns have allowed a league leading 14 goals against.

At the other end of the ice, the Horns have scored nine goals in four games and former Canada West rookie of the year Sadie Lensta looks to have returned to her freshman form, leading the club with two goals and an assist.

For the Dinos, they have a distinctly different look this season. Gone are head coach Danielle Goyette and Hailey Wickenheiser, both centralized with the Canadian National Team in preparation for the Sochi Winter Olympics.

In their last action, the Dinos earned a weekend split with the UBC Thunderbirds, losing 4-0 before rebounding for their first win of the season, 4-3 in a shootout.

Horns Soccer

The Pronghorns women’s soccer team (0-9-2) will conclude the 2013 season this weekend with one game on the road, traveling to Calgary to face the Dinos.

It has been a rough 2013 campaign for the Horns with only two points to show for their effort. They rank second last in goal scoring with five and third last in goal against, allowing 31.

Meanwhile, with four games remaining in the Canada West soccer schedule, the Pronghorns men’s soccer team (2-8-1) was officially eliminated from post-season contention last Sunday when the Calgary Dinos defeated the UNBC Timberwolves.

In the second to last weekend of the regular season, the Horns head out on the road to face the Fraser Valley Cascades and Victoria Vikes.

For the ‘Horns, the inability to find the back of the net will haunt this season’s squad. Of the team’s eight losses, five were by one goal, including six games where the Horns where shut out.

Busy weekend upcoming for Horns Athletics

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:23:28 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team took a small step back last season, missing the Canada West playoff party. On Friday night, the Horns will begin their quest to return to the post-season when they open the regular season against the defending Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

With 19 players returning from last season, the Horns have an experienced group, led by senior defenceman Glenda Edie and fourth-year defenders Courtney Minor and Katie Mucha. Add in the returning goaltending tandem of Crystal Patterson and Shauntelle Williams, and the Horns are in good shape in their own zone.

Despite being one of the lowest scoring teams in the conference last season, the Pronghorns possess a group of talented forwards and will need to score by committee to generate the offence needed to get them into the playoffs once again. Megan Bailey had a breakout season last year and her team leading 16 points tripled her output from the previous season. Third-year forward Kirsten Reeves led the Horns last season with 12 goals, putting her in a tie for third in the conference, and she will be leaned on heavily for production again this season.

With seven of their first eight games at home to start the year, the Horns have a great opportunity for a fast start.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday nights is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Horns Soccer

The Proghorns men's and women's soccer programs are both on the road this weekend, the men heading to Winnipeg to face the Wesmen, while the women are on the west coast to challenge the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria and Fraser Valley.

Coming off a weekend split last weekend with the Mount Royal Cougars, the men’s soccer team is at 2-6-0 on the season. With seven games remaining in the season, the Horns are only four points out of a playoff spot.

The Horns, who have scored just seven goals in eight games, will need to generate more offense if they are to make a push to the post-season. Guilherme Costa leads the teams in goals with two, both coming from the penalty spot.

The Wesmen (2-4-2 CW), won just one of their first six games but earned four points last weekend in Calgary, beating the Dinos 3-2 before completing the trip with a 1-1 tie the next day.

On the women's front, the Horns (0-5-2) are still searching for their first victory of the season after suffering two losses in Saskatchewan last weekend, dropping a 2-0 decision to the Saskatchewan Huskies and 2-1 to the Regina Cougars.

Offensive production continues to be the Horns undoing so far this season, only scoring three goals thus far.

Defensively, the Horns have been solid, having only allowed 11 goals in seven games.

Friday night, the Horns face the Victoria Vikes (4-2-0), before travelling to Abbotsford on Saturday to meet up with the Fraser Valley Cascades (2-3-1).

Women's Rugby

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Pronghorns women’s rugby team heads out on the road for a pair of games versus provincial rivals Calgary Dinos and Alberta Pandas.

Sitting at 1-1 and with a guaranteed spot in the Canada West Championship tournament (which the Horns host Oct. 18-20), this weekend’s results will determine the seeding for the Canada West semifinals.

Friday in Calgary, the Horns will have revenge on their mind when they face the Calgary Dinos (2-1). The Dinos ended the Horns' 22-game conference winning streak last season with a 31-18 win and then knocked the Horns out of title contention with a 33-32 victory in the Canada West semifinal in Edmonton.

The Horns are led by Kim Leavitt’s three tries, which places her in a tie for second in the conference, and Tiffany Wideen, who has taken over the kicking duties this season and has connected on three converts. For the Dinos, Natasha Loucks leads a balanced attack with three tries and Kate Scotland has connected on six converts and two penalty goals for 18 points.

Sunday, the Horns take on the defending Canada West champion Alberta Pandas (3-0). So far, the Pandas have yet to be tested. Following their 62-17 trouncing of the Dinos to open the season, the Pandas shut out both of their BC opponents on the road, beating the Victoria Vikes 49-0 and the UBC T-Birds 39-0.

Men's Basketball

Finally, the Horns men's basketball team will host MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for a pre-season tilt, Friday night at 7 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym.

MacEwan is currently an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team but will be joining Canada West next season. The matchup will be a solid first test for the Horns, who are itching to get into game action after a long practise schedule.

Horns soccer looks to build off success

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:34:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns have finalized their schedules for the Canada West soccer season and for the program's men's team, the focus will be on building off of last season's 18-point performance, a franchise best.

The men's program will open its 2013 campaign with a home-and-home series against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos, Sept. 7-8 (at home on Sunday, Sept. 8). That's the start of a 15-game schedule that will also see the Horns play host to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan Huskies, Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cougars, UNBC Timberwolves, UBC Thunderbirds and the Trinity Western Spartans.

The Horns won four games last season and narrowly missed the playoffs with 18 standings points. They will once again play in the six-team Prairie Division, looking for one of three playoff spots.

The regular season concludes on Oct. 27 followed by three rounds of playoffs in four days at the home of the first-place finisher in the five-team Pacific Division. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of New Brunswick in Fredericton, N.B. is the site of the 2013 CIS men's championship tournament, Nov. 7-10.

On the women's side, the Horns are coming off a one-win season but with 21 players eligible to return from last season's roster (that included 11 first-year players), it should be a much more seasoned and cohesive group.

The Canada West women's set-up differs from the men in that only one, 13-team division exists, with the top eight teams qualifying for playoffs.

After opening the schedule on the road with games against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cougars, the Horns will host the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the U of L Community Stadium.

The Horns will also play host to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba Bisons the next day and host the UNBC Timberwolves, UBC Thunderbirds and Trinity Western Spartans to round out the home schedule.

Canada West playoffs open with quarter-finals on Oct. 26, after which teams will be re-ranked for semifinals and medal matches on Nov. 2-3. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto hosts CIS Nationals, Nov. 7-10.

For a look at the complete Pronghorns soccer schedule visit the website at www.gohorns.ca. For season tickets, call Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681.

Horns face semi-pro team

trevor.kenney — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:35:08 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team will play one more game before the Christmas break this week, hosting the Calgary Crush in an exhibition contest Wednesday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym.

The Crush is the newest entry in the American Basketball Association (ABA), and will be part of the fast-growing Pacific Northwest Division. The Crush played in their first action this past weekend in Los Angeles but a result has not yet been posted.

Canada West basketball fans will notice some familiar faces in the Crush line-up, with four former Canada West players on the team's inaugural roster. Headlining the former Canada West players is Josh Whyte, who was named the Canada West and CIS player of the year in 2010 as a member of the UBC Thunderbirds. The Calgary native was also a multiple time Canada West all-star.

Three former Calgary Dinos will also be suiting up for the Crush, including John Raid (1999-2004), Chris Wright (2001-2006) and Robbie Sihota (2005-10).

The 'Horns (4-4 in Canada West play) will return to conference action Jan. 6-7, heading out on the road to face Trinity Western and Fraser Valley.

Admission for Wednesday's exhibition game is free for students and $5 for Adults.

Cameron, Coward get nod from Horns

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:58:41 +0000

Pronghorns basketball players Ali Cameron and Dominyc Coward earned the Subway Pronghorn Athletes of the Week nods after their efforts against UBC Thunderbirds and Victoria Vikes over the weekend.

Cameron, a first-year Pronghorn and former SAIT Trojan, came off the bench and played her role to a tee, providing a defensive spark for the 'Horns.

Playing two of the top teams in the conference, Cameron and the 'Horns held the conference's top offensive unit Victoria Vikes well under their season average of 80 points. They also held the UBC Thunderbirds right at their season average.

Coward, a former CCCA All-Canadian with Lethbridge College, has contributed immediately to the Pronghorn men's basketball team and has been a key component in the 'Horns' 4-4 start to the season.

Friday night, in a 90-80 upset of the CIS fourth-ranked UBC Thunderbirds, Coward had 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

In the 'Horns' loss to the undefeated Victoria Vikes the following night, Coward narrowly missed recording a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds.

With the first semester coming to a close for the men's basketball team, Coward is second on the team in points per game, averaging 13.6, and leads the team in rebounding with 7.9 boards a night. He is second in the conference in blocked shots, averaging just under two per game.

Canada West takes a bold step forward

trevor.kenney — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:46:13 +0000

Fans of Canada West Athletics and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns will find it much easier to follow their teams this season with the introduction of CanadaWest.TV, a new web-based broadcasting service that debuts this month.

What it means for Horns followers is the opportunity to watch every U of L basketball game, both home and away, as well as all home hockey games and a select number of road contests.

"Our biggest goal with CanadaWest.TV is to try and strengthen the Canada West brand," says U of L Sports Information and Events Co-ordinator, Eoin Colquhoun.

Partnering with Stretch Internet, Canada West will be able to present a first of its kind university sport broadcast network. It will serve initially as the exclusive home to all Canada West basketball and volleyball games, along with selected games in other sports including football, hockey and soccer.

"The big step towards this took place last year when we mandated that all Canada West basketball games needed to be webcast," says Colquhoun. "Volleyball is also mandatory and then it will be up to individual schools to make decisions on what sports they decide to webcast. This year we'll also include our home hockey games."

Not only will the games be available by accessing CanadaWest.TV online from your computer, all streamed games will also be available on Flash 10.1-enabled mobile devices and, for the first time in Canadian university sport, on all iPhone OS devices – including the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The overriding theme of the partnership is to expose Canada West sports to as many people as possible.

"It provides us with a unique opportunity as a conference and as individual schools to have our product seen by fans across Western Canada and around the world," says Ben Matchett, Canada West VP, Marketing. "Our new mobile platform also means they will not miss a minute of the action no matter where they go."

For Colquhoun, the logistics of staging a webcast are relatively simple, thanks to the support of Stretch Internet. He says the conference looked at eight to 10 proposals before signing on with Stretch.

"They provide us with all the software we need," he says. "We literally need to have somebody running the camera and whatever else we want to do with it is up to us. Their software allows us to interlay some stats and so forth and as we learn how to work with it, we'll probably be able to do a little more."

It's up to member schools as to whether they will include play-by-play description of the games. Colquhoun says that, at least for the first year, the Horns will go with picture only.

"What's great about it is that it provides one place where any Canada West fan of any school can go and find the webcasts," he says. "It's not a different location for every school or every sport as it may have been in the past, it's all in one place and hopefully we will expand fans of the whole Canada West product as a result."

GET THE FACTS

• Available at http://canadawest.tv, the first game broadcast on the new network was the Sept. 2 Canada West football game between the Regina Rams and UBC Thunderbirds.

• The Horns debut on the network Sept. 30 when the men's hockey team hosts the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

• The Canada West basketball season begins Nov. 4. Pronghorn fans will be able to watch the Horns on the road at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Winnipeg.

This story first appeared in the September issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Horns rugby bolsters lineup

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:13:18 +0000

The five-time Canada West champion ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women' s rugby team has retooled for the 2011 Canada West season with the addition of six new recruits, five of which come to the 'Horns with national team experience.

Head Coach Neil Langevin welcomed Cassandra Orr, Bailey Campbell, Sarah Gordon, Ashley Delaney, Kayla Moleschi and Meghan Wellis to cmapus this week. Orr, Campbell, Gordon and Delaney all represented Canada this summer with the Under 20 squad coached by Langevin, while Moleschi has suited up with the Canada U20 and Senior Sevens side.

Orr comes to the Horns from the highly successful Vulcan Country Central High School squad that won the South Zone title and was a provincial finalist.

"Cassandra is the fittest rugby player in Canada and will benefit from a great work ethic," says Langevin. "Her determination and ability to score tries will be a benefit for the Horns."

Also a member of the Country Central High School team in Vulcan, Campbell, a fly half and centre, makes the trek down Highway 23 to Lethbridge.

"Bailey Campbell has been part of a great program in Vulcan under the coaching of John and Angie Seaman," says Langevin. "Her patience and defensive ability will be great building blocks as she develops at the university level."

Gordon, who can play both scrum half and fly half positions, comes to the 'Horns from Surrey, B.C. In addition to playing with the U20 Canadian team, Gordon has also suited up for the BC U18 squad.

"Sarah Gordon is a smart rugby player who is a student of the game," says Langevin. "With increasing physical capabilities she is sure to be an integral part of the Horns for the next five years."

Delaney also comes to the Horns with provincial team experience, having played with the Alberta U18 side this year. The Calgary native can play both at prop or lock.

"A highly recruited youngster, Ashley combines size and athleticism," says Langevin. "She will be counted upon to play in the tight five and to improve her physical presence on the field. As she does improve she will be a headache for other Canada West teams for a long time."

A member of the BC U23 team that captured the National Championship this summer, Moleschi joins the 'Horns program with an impressive resume. The fullback has seen time with both the U20 Canadian team and with the senior Sevens.

"Kayla has performed well for Canada U20 in the past and was an integral part of BC U23 program that won the National Championship this summer," says Langevin. "She is poised to move further up Rugby Canada's ladder and will be an exciting part of the Horns this year."

Another fullback, Wellis comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge via White Rock, B.C. While she is the lone recruit without national team experience, Wellis has been a member of the highly successful BC U18 team.

"Wellis has been part of successful high school and provincial programs," says Langevin. "Her stride and attacking capabilities are large and she couples this with fierce determination."

The 'Horns begin their quest for a sixth consecutive Canada West Championship Sept. 23 in Vancouver versus the UBC Thunderbirds. The 'Horns will host two home games this season, Oct. 2 versus the Alberta Pandas and Oct. 13 versus the Calgary Dinos.

Court named Canada West athlete of the week

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:14:29 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby program clinched its fifth consecutive Canada West title this past weekend, thanks in large part to the efforts of fifth-year captain Shannon Court.

Court was named Canada West Female Athlete of the Week on Tuesday for her contribution. The Red Deer, Alta. native scored four tries in two games and was the backbone of a defensive effort that stymied the opposition all weekend long. Court was responsible for shutting down opponent attacks and caused numerous turnovers in both the semifinal victory over UBC Thunderbirds and the championship final over ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta.

After scoring three tries versus UBC in the semifinal, Court added a brilliant try to put the championship game out of reach in an eventual 18-5 victory over the CIS #5-ranked Alberta Pandas.

The Horns now prepare for the CIS National tournament, Nov. 4-7 in Peterborough, Ont. The club will be seeking its fourth consecutive CIS crown.

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