Lethbridge - After missing the playoffs for the first time since Canada West rugby moved to a regular season structure, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's rugby team sets its sights on a transition season with the hiring of new head coach Ric Suggitt. 

The 'Horns open the 2015 Canada West season this weekend, traveling to the west coast to face the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds. The 'Horns and Vikes will clash Friday at 5:00pm PST and then face the T-Birds Sunday at 1:00pm PST.

Suggitt joins the 'Horns with a wealth of international head coaching experience, previously serving as the head coach of the USA Sevens women's team and will be the programs first full-time head coach.

"This season is a big transition year and we are about establishing some pride in being a Pronghorn again," said Suggitt. "We cannot relive the glory years but we can build on that foundation. We have a lot of new players so this is the time to set the expectations of where we want to be over the next four years."

"We know we will be competitive but we also want more than that, we want the opposition to know that they have been in a game and that we will be a team that does not stop working until the final whistle has blown."

In the off season, the 'Horns identified a need to strengthen their pack and the 2015 Pronghorns will definitely be a bigger team, but will still have plenty of skill and speed with returnees Sarah Gordon, Nicole Ronsky and Kara Loewen.

First-years prop Savanna Collison and number 8 Abby Duguid will be key additions to the 'Horns front line as the top teams in Canada West last season were able to control scrums and rucks versus the 'Horns.
 
The Vikes, a surprise pick as the second ranked team in the Canada West coaches poll, look to improve on their third place finish from a year ago and feel they have the experience and talent to make a run this season.
 
Three national team members, Jess Neilson, Tiffany Picketts and Julia Folk will be counted on heavily if the Vikes are to challenge for their first ever conference title. Seniors Caitlin Harvey, Jaiden Parhar and Shannon Fitzpatrick will also be key members and the talented freshmen class gives the Vikes depth for a competitive season.
 
Sunday's opponent, UBC Thunderbirds were ranked one spot below the 'Horns in the Canada West coaches poll in fifth, but are looking to continue their trend of improvement under third-year head coach Maria Gallo, the 2013 Canada West Coach of the Year. The team will have a much different look as five players who provided significant contributions to the program's success have moved on, including captain Carolyn McEwen, who earned a spot on the national team this summer. Key returnees include Gillian Boag, a member of the national under-20 squad, as well as captain Louisa Hadley. One of the newcomers to the T-Birds is Madi Gold from Courtenay, B.C., who is considered one of the top players in B.C. going into university play.
 
The 'Horns will only host one home conference game this season, hosting the defending Canada West Champion Alberta Pandas, October 4^th.
 
 
-30-