Lethbridge – Facing the defending CIS champions to open the 2014 Canada West season, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's rugby team put up a valiant effort but in the end fell 24-13 to the Alberta Pandas.
Coming off their first CIS Championship in nine years, the Pandas pounced on the 'Horns early and through the first 26 minutes it looked like Alberta would win running away. Six minutes in, Rebecca Fairbairn kicked a penalty goal to open the scoring.
With the 'Horns down a player due to a player sent off to the sin bin, the Pandas strung the Pronghorns out and Kaitlyn Cumming touched down her first of two tries on the day. Fairbairn converted the try to put the Pandas up 10-0 only 11 minutes in.
Cumming was back at it just 15 minutes later, touching down her second consecutive try and with another Fairbairn convert the shell shocked Pronghorns were down 17-0.
Looking to rebound and make a game of it the 'Horns were able to push down the field with some solid back work and the benefit of Pandas penalties, finally getting within five yards of the Pandas touch line. While a turnover and the ball being held up in the Pandas end zone kept the 'Horns off the scoreboard momentarily, Sarah Gordon was finally able to push the ball over the line for the 'Horns first score. From a tough angle, Gordon's convert hit the upright and stayed out.
Riding the momentum of their first score, the 'Horns rumbled back down the field for their second consecutive unconverted try. Winger Kara Loewen touched the ball down in the corner of the end zone to cut the Pandas lead at the half to 17-10.
With the scoring pace slowing in the second half, neither team would allow another score for the majority of the second 40 minutes. Strong tackling and untimely penalties thwarted attacks from both teams.
15 minutes short of full time, 'Horns captain Tiffany Wideen was streaking towards the Pandas touch line, but with only five yards to go, a shoe string tackle by a Panda defender saved the day. Unable to turn the ball over, the Pandas stood their ground and forced the 'Horns to settle for a penalty goal. Gordon converted the kick from only ten yards to cut the Pandas lead to four.
In the end, the Pandas scrum was the difference, controlling it throughout the match, with pushes moving the pack 10 to 15 yards at a time and in stoppage time, Panda prop Morgan Patzelt pushed through the 'Horns pack for one last try. Fairbairn remained perfect on the day, hitting her third convert.
The loss drops the 'Horns 0-1 on the season and next weekend will see the 'Horns travel to the west coast to face the UBC Thunderbirds Friday and the Victoria Vikes on Sunday. The 1-0 Pandas will also travel out west to take on the Vikes on Friday and T-Birds on Sunday.
