Horns roll to Canada West title

trevor.kenney — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:45:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns won their sixth straight Canada West championship Sunday afternoon with a convincing 41-0 win over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas at Calgary's McMahon Stadium.

The game was really never in doubt, with the Pronghorns finding the end zone just 40 seconds into the game and nver looking back.

Canada West rookie of the year Kayla Moleschi broke through the Pandas' defensive line right off the opening kickoff, racing to the goal line to give the Horns their early lead.

The U of L maintained pressure for most of the first half, earning a penalty goal try for Laura Murphy-Burke eight minutes later. She finished with an 11-point day, including four converts.

Tiffany Wideen scored a try just over the halfway mark of the first half, and Juhee Thompson notched a buzzer-beater for the Horns in the waning moments of the opening period to give Lethbridge a 20-0 lead at the half.

Lethbridge would add three more converted tries in the second half. Moleschi touched for her second of the day, while Brandi Van Eeuwen and Genevieve Ahart added one each to make the final 41-0.

The Pandas did have several chances within 10 metres of the Lethbridge goal line, but the Horns defence stood up and turned over the ball each time to keep the Pandas out of the end zone.

Following the game, the Canada West all-stars and award winners were announced, with Lethbridge earning a number of accolades. All-stars included Brandi Van Eeuwen (prop), Kelsey Willoughby and Juhee Thompson (back row), fly half Murphy-Burke, and Moleschi and Cassandra Orr (back three).

The Horns also took both major player awards in the 2011 season, with Moleschi earning rookie-of-the-year honours and Willoughby being named the Canada West MVP.

In the early game, the host Dinos scored a try in the final minute to upend the Victoria Vikes 20-15 for their first-ever playoff victory in CIS competition.

The Pronghorns qualify for the CIS Women's Rugby Championship hosted by Trent ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Peterborough, Ont. Nov. 3-6 as the lone Canada West representative.

Horns rugby bulks up for season

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:34:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team has a target on its back. As the defending three-time CIS champions enter the 2010 season, the entire country is taking aim at ending the club's reign.

With the graduation of the most successful class in Pronghorn women's rugby history, head coach Neil Langevin has had his work cut out for him as he tries to keep his squad on top.

Last year's senior group, which was lead by CIS player of the Year Ashley Patzer, won four consecutive Canada West titles and three consecutive CIS titles and wrapped their collegiate career with an undefeated season, outscoring their opponents 446-13.

Enter a quartet of newcomers that Langevin expects to make an immediate impact.

Juhee Thompson, Logan Kennedy, Tiffany Wideen and Larissa Brown were introduced as the newest Horns on Tuesday afternoon, effectively opening a new chapter for the national powerhouse.

Thompson, a Cardston, Alta. product, was the 2009 most valuable player in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League. A flanker, she played for the Raymond Comets and was also a member of the Alberta U17 and Canadian U18 teams.

"Her incredible athletic co-ordination allows Juhee to be an exciting player," says Langevin. "Juhee has the potential to be one of the best players in the country in her time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We are excited that she is going to play here."

Thompson will also suit up for the women's basketball team after the rugby season has completed.

The CIS top-ranked Horns will begin defense of their Canada West title this weekend with road games against the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds respectively. The U of L hosts the Canada West Championships, Oct. 22-24 at the Community Sports Stadium.

For more on the new Pronghorns recruits, follow this link.

UNews - Juhee Thompson

Horns roll to Canada West title

Related Topics

Horns rugby bulks up for season

Related Topics