Pronghorns women's rugby team kicks off season

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:49:55 +0000

For the first time since 2007, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby team enters the Canada West season as the hunter and not the hunted after seeing their reign of six consecutive conference championships snapped in 2012.

The ‘Horns will not have a home game until the Canada West Championships and will play all four of their conference games on the road, starting this weekend with a trip to the west coast to face the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds.

In addition to losing their conference crown, the ‘Horns also had their 22-game conference winning streak snapped in the process, losing to the Calgary Dinos 31-18 during the regular season. It was the Dinos who also put an end to the ‘Horns' reign as conference champions, beating the U of L 33-32 in a thrilling Canada West semifinal.

Heading into the 2013 season, the ‘Horns will need to fill some key holes left by the departure of five-time Canada West all-star Brandi Van Eeuwen, fly half Laura Murphy-Burke, scrum half Alex Hendricks and heart and soul leader Kendra Reeves. Despite these departures, the cupboard is far from bare with the return of 2013 Canada U20 members Sarah Gordon and Ashley Delaney. Add in team captain Jillian Ankutowicz, Kim Leavitt, Tiffany Wideen and Lindsey Duxbury, and the leadership group will be solid.

Newcomers Allison Toews and Lisa Hildebrand have also impressed early for the ‘Horns.

The ‘Horns' first opponent, the Victoria Vikes, will look to rebound from last season’s winless campaign and welcome a fresh, elite group of recruits to the fold. The Vikes boast 15 new members, 11 of whom competed provincially this past summer.

The UBC Thunderbirds enter the 2013 Canada West women’s rugby season with a new coach in Maria Gallo, who is working to replicate the success she enjoyed as a player at both Guelph ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. The former national team member won three CIS championships and was named the CIS Most Valuable Player in 2002.

Gallo takes over a relatively young squad that returns most of its players from last season, which ended with a loss in the Canada West bronze medal game. There are no fifth-year seniors on the roster, but there is a large group of third- and fourth-year players who will provide leadership.

The Canada West Championships will be hosted by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Oct. 18-20 at the
U of L Community Sports Stadium.

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.

UNews - Ashley Delaney

Pronghorns women's rugby team kicks off season

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