Lethbridge - For the first time since 2007, the Lethbridge Pronghorn 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 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 ended in the process, losing to the Calgary Dinos 31-18 in the regular season. It was the Dinos who also put an end to the 'Horns reign as conference champions, beating the 'Horns 33-32 in a thrilling Canada West semi-final.

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, and along with team captain Jillian Ankutowicz, and Kim Leavitt, Tiffany Wideen and Lindsey Duxbury the leadership group will be solid.

Newcomers Allison Toews and Lisa Hildebrand have impressed early for the 'Horns and with both not being first year students they will bring a level of maturity to the team.

The 'Horns first opponent, the Victoria Vikes will look to rebound from last season's winless campaign and welcomes a fresh, elite group of recruits to the Vikes fold. The Vikes women 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 Maria Gallo, who is working to replicate, on the West Coast, the success she enjoyed as a player at Guelph and 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 a large group of third and fourth years who will provide leadership.

The Canada West Championships will be hosted by the University of Lethbridge October 18^th & 20^th at the University Community Sports Stadium.