Lethbridge – In the lone home game of 2015, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's rugby team was no match for the defending Canada West Champion Alberta Pandas, dropping a 42-21 decision.

The loss drops the 'Horns record to 0-2-1 on the season, while the Pandas improve to 1-1 in 2015.

Looking to rebound from their season opening loss to the Calgary Dinos, the defending Canada West Champion Alberta Pandas jumped all over the Pronghorns early. Off the opening kick-off the Pandas pushed the 'Horns on their heels and opened the scoring only three minutes in.

Amanda Smith touched the ball down only three minutes in and Rebecca Fairbairn converted the try to give the Pandas an early 7-0 lead.

The Pandas scored twice more in quick succession with nearly identical tries. The Pandas scrum pushed the 'Horns pack into the touch area on both occasions with Elizabeth Steele being credited with both the second and third tries.

Before the game was 20 minutes old, the Pandas hit pay dirt a fourth time with Julia Goss sprinting on a nice individual run to put the Pandas up 22-0.

The 'Horns were finally able to answer back with a try of their own. Bailey Campbell finished off a long Pronghorn push and Sarah Gordon was able to make the convert to cut the score to 22-7.

'Horns fullback Kara Loewen made a try saving tackle on the 15 yard line, after Goss had broken away from the pack and looked certain to score the Pandas fifth try of the half.

The Pandas did however get their fifth try in stoppage time with Jennifer Hill busting through the 'Horns backline after a string of penalties kept the game in play.

Early in the second half, Kara Loewen brought the 'Horns faithful to their feet, after a Frederique Tremblay sprung Loewen with a slick pass. Gordon hit her second convert.

After a long period of sustained pressure, the Pandas responded the 'Horns early try with Sara Haring scoring her first of the day and the Pandas followed that try up with two more in quick succession with Amanda Smith picking up her second of the day and Amee Svatos sprinting away from 'Horns defenders to score her first.

Freshman Emiola Olalekan added to the 'Horns total in the 70^th minute and for the remainder of the game, the 'Horns pushed for that all important fourth try of the game, getting as close as 10 yards out but could not find the touch area to earn a bonus point in the standings.

The 'Horns will conclude the Canada West regular season with a game in Calgary versus the undefeated Calgary Dinos October 17^th. The Pandas will head out to the West Coast to face the UBC Thunderbirds and Victoria Vikes October 16^th and 18^th.
 
 
Scoring summary
First half
3^rd minute – Alberta Amanda Smith (Convert – Rebecca Fairbairn)
11^th minute  - Alberta Elizabeth Steele (Convert Missed – Rebecca Fairbarin)
14^th minute – Alberta Elizabeth Steele (Convert Missed – Rebecca Fairbairn)
18^th minute – Alberta Julia Goss (Convert Missed – Rebecca Fairbairn)
23^rd minute – Lethbridge Bailey Campbell (Convert – Sarah Gordon)
40^th minute – Alberta Jennifer Hill (Convert Missed – Rebecca Fairbairn)
Second half
42^nd minute – Lethbridge Kara Loewen (Convert Gordon)
54^th minute – Alberta Sara Haring (Convert missed – Aline Wicklum)
59^th minute – Alberta Amanda Smith (Convert missed – Aline Wicklum)
63^rd minute – Alberta Amee Svatos (Convert missed – Aline Wicklum)
70^th minute – Lethbridge Emiola Olalekan (Convert – Sarah Gordon.