VANCOUVER – On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Wolfson Field in Vancouver, the UBC Thunderbirds women's rugby team earned their first points of the Canada West season, battling the Lethbridge Pronghorns to a 12-12 draw.
Though the result wasn't her ideal outcome, T-Birds head coach Maria Gallo lauded the work ethic and grit shown by her squad.
"A tie is always disappointing, but Lethbridge is a solid team, " said Gallo. "I think my girls performed really well. We definitely did leave some tries on the field, but overall I'm proud of them. They were highly motivated throughout the whole game, and we've just got to fix a couple of things for next time."
Lethbridge opened the scoring in the game's 13th minute, as fourth-year wing Nicole Ronsky picked up a loose ball and raced down the left flank for the try. Fourth-year outside half Sarah Gordon couldn't convert the ensuing kick, leaving the score at 5-0.
UBC responded with a try of their own seven minutes later. After some dogged work from the T-Birds to maintain possession deep in Lethbridge territory, Ciara Malone did well to get to the in-goal area, darting out to the right and diving for the try. Paige Smith came within inches of converting on the kick, drilling the crossbar.
Just two minutes into the second half, fourth-year wing Kara Loewen put the Pronghorns back on top with a try, and Gordon nailed her second conversion attempt of the afternoon, extending the lead to 12-5.
At the 74-minute mark, UBC first-year forward Madison Gold made her mark on the contest. After picking up the ball 10 yards out from the Lethbridge in-goal area, Gold weaved her way through a couple of defenders and would not be denied a try.
Smith stepped up and delivered a booming kick into the wind, hitting the subsequent conversion with ease. Those ended up being the final points of the day, as the game ended by that same 12-12 score.
The T-Birds (0-1-1) will get a full week to rest up before heading out to Victoria, B.C. for their only road game of the season. UBC is set to take on the Victoria Vikes on Sunday, October 4, with the opening whistle scheduled for 1 p.m.
Lethbridge (0-1-1) will return home to host the Alberta Pandas on the morning of Oct. 4.
