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CIS women's rugby Sunday roundup: Horns win in a battle of top ranked teams
Photo credit Lethbridge Athletics
Acadia 34, Saint Mary's 5 Final
Calgary 31, Victoria 15 Final
VICTORIA - A disappointing first half for the Vikes women's
rugby team allowed an organized Calgary Dinos team to take an early
lead. At half, the score favored the Dinos 19-0. Stand out play by
Dinos prop Samantha Crandell gave the young Dinos team the forward
momentum they needed to challenge the Vikes.
The UVic women looked to rebound in the second half, scoring a
total of 15 points. UVic players Alanna Cryer and Karli Macfarlane
broke the Calgary line repeatedly. The Vikes competed hard
bringing a high level of intensity to the field but were unable to
make the comeback. The Dinos scored three more times in the second
half to lift them 31-15 over the Vikes.
UVic scorers:
Jessica Moretto (1 try)
Roxanne Neville (1 try)
Ruth Dyck (1 try)
Calgary Scorers:
Jade Menin (1 try)
Samantha Crandell (1 try)
Lizzie Mackinnan (1 try)
Brynna Walker (1 try, 2 converts)
Kathrine Prosychen (1 try)
Kathrine Mullen (1 convert)
Source: Victoria Sports Info
No. 4 Lethbridge 52, Tied No. 5 Alberta 7 Final
LETHBRIDGE - In a battle of the two top rugby schools in
Canada West, the CIS 4th ranked Lethbridge Pronghorns prevailed
with an impressive 52-7 win over the 5th ranked Alberta Pandas.
The lopsided score did not truly reflect the game’s
territorial advantage and ball possession as the Pandas did pin the
‘Horns in their own end for extended periods of time but had
a difficult time turning their drives into points.
On the other side of the ball, the Horns relied on their outside
speed and strong ball movement, while showing killer instinct once
they broke deep into the Pandas end.
"I was very impressed with our offesnive ability," said Head Coach
Neil Langevin. "Alberta controlled the ball as much as we did but
we took advantage of our chances."
"We got on the front foot against a good team and were helped by a
large and loud crowd."
Sophomore Juhee Thompson got the ‘Horns on the board only 3
minutes into the game, bowling over a Pandas defender and into
touch. Laura Murphy-Burke made the convert.
For the next 7 minutes the Pandas were able to hem the ‘Horns
in their own end due to some knock-ons and penalties but the Pandas
were not able to capitalize.
Off a won scrum, the Horns added to their lead in the 12th minute.
Cassandra Orr was at the end of a set of passes, stringing the
Pandas defenders out wide and touching the ball down in the right
corner. Murphy-Burke converted the try to put the ‘Horns up
14-0.
In quick succession, freshman Kayla Moleschi broke free down the
far side of the field, out running the Pandas defenders and scoring
the try directly under the uprights. Murphy-Burke made good for the
converted try.
After an extended period of time in the Pronghorn end, the Pandas
were finally able to capitalize with Marlene Nedved breaking free
from ‘Horns tacklers and scoring the Pandas first try. Teanna
Chase converted the try to make the score 21-7.
In the dying minutes of the opening half after a good push from a
‘Horns scrum, Orr scored her second try of the match. The try
went unconverted.
Immediately off the restart, Canadian National team member Kelsey
Willoughby barrelled over a couple of Panda defenders to score the
Horns fifth try of the game. The kick was missed.
In the 61st minute, Orr broke away again to score her third try of
the afternoon, while Moleschi scored only three minutes later, her
second of the game. Both tries were converted. Thompson rounded out
the scoring in the 78th minute, also her second score of the game.
Sarah Gordon hit her second consecutive try.
With the win the ‘Horns remain undefeated on the season and
improve to 3-0, while the Pandas drop to 2-1 with both teams having
one game remaining in their conference schedule. The ‘Horns
will host the Calgary Dinos October 13 to put a close to the
conference schedule. The Pandas will host the Dinos October
16th.
Scoring Summary
Lethbridge:
Tries – Cassandra Orr (3), Kayla Moleschi (2), Juhee Thompson
(2), Kelsey Willoughby
Converts – Laura Murphy-Burke (4), Sarah Gordon (2)
Alberta:
Tries – Marlene Nedved
Convert – Teanna Chase
Ottawa 19, Sherbrooke 0 Final
OTTAWA - Despite the dreary day at Matt Anthony field, neither the Gee-Gees nor their fans let that affect their energy in this afternoon’s bright 19-0 win over Sherbrooke.
Third-year centre/wing Natasha Watcham-Roy (Val-des-Monts, Qué.) opened up the scoring for the garnet and grey just under 30 minutes into the first half with a try. Third-year backrow Amber Stoffer (Fall River, NS) would capitalize on the opportunity adding a convert to put the Gee-Gees up 7-0.
A rather evenly matched Sherbrooke and uOttawa then battled it out for the next hour over the course of the first and second half with neither team able to breach the goal area. Both teams made strong goal line stands to keep each other off the scoreboard. But the Gee-Gees would light up the field in the last five minutes, scoring two tries courtesy of first-year rookie wing Irene Patrinos (Mississauga, Ont.) and first year wing/fullback Madeleine Goldsmith (Ottawa, Ont.), and another convert from Stoffer to end the game up 19-0.
“Today was a much better work rate and energy level,” said head coach Suzanne Chaulk. “Everybody was doing the right stuff. Organization is still in need of some work; we need to make it more fluid, more seamless. But there were some great moments of teamwork; our tries were good examples of that.”
“We had some leaders step up,” said Chaulk, noting Watcham-Roy, uOttawa’s player of the game, “who played well individually and kept everyone working together.”
“They came out really hard,” said Watcham-Roy on Sherbrooke’s effort. “We worked more together as a team [this week] and at the end [of the game] it really came together.”
With the win, the Gee-Gees are sitting in fourth in the RSEQ heading into their final home game next Friday, October 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. against McGill.
Source: Ottawa Sports Info
