LETHBRIDGE – Following a 2-1 record on day one, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's rugby team advanced to the medal round on Sunday and despite a heartbreaking loss in the semifinal rebounded to finish third with a close win over the UBC Thunderbirds.
Led by three tries from fifth-year back Hailey Driscoll, the Pronghorns rebounded from the tough semifinal loss to the Victoria Vikes and revenged their only loss on Saturday with 15-12 win over the T-Birds.
"We had set goals of playing solid aggressive defence and to control the ball," said Pronghorn head coach Neil Langevin. "The team achieved these goals and we played three tight games against great competition."
"Sevens can be exciting and can rip your soul in an instant and we are happy with our performance but will continue to look to top the competition. Our rookies were good and our veterans led the way."
Driscoll led the Pronghorns in scoring in the tournament with four tries for 20 points, while freshman Rebecca Powell made an impressive debut scoring three tries. Sears also had 15 points on one try and five converts.
Sunday started with heartbreak for the Pronghorns, after leading 7-0 at half on a Carolyn Mckee try that was converted by Caitlin Sears, the Pronghorns allowed two tries, the second with less than two minutes to play and fell 10-7 to the Victoria Vikes.
Opening the tournament on Saturday, the Pronghorns started with two impressive wins over Fraser Valley and UBCO. Sydney De la Mare led the Pronghorns with tries in the 36-0 win over the UFV Cascades. Driscoll, Sears, Janelle Agot and Abby Neuforf also picked up tries in the win.
Versus the UBCO Heat, who were making their Canada West sevens debut, the Pronghorns were paced by a three try performance from Powell to outclass the Heat 41-0. Abby Duguid, Genna Wright, Agot and Christina Norsten also scored tries in the win.
Rounding out day one, the Pronghorns suffered a close 17-14 loss to the Canada West 15s Champion UBC Thunderbirds to finish second in the pool and set up a match up with the Vikes in the semifinal. Carolyn McKee and Genna Wright each scored a try and Caitlin Sears hit both converts.
The Rugby 7s season will continue in two weeks, with the UBC Thunderbirds hosting the second tournament in Vancouver.
GAME SUMMARIES
Game 1: Lethbridge Pronghorns (36) vs Fraser Valley Cascades (0)
Scoring summary:
|
1 |
2 |
T |
| LET: |
12 |
24 |
36 |
| UFV: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LET Try - #21 Hailey Driscoll (#10 Caitlin Sears Convert) 7-0 LET
LET Try - #10 Caitlin Sears (Convert Missed) 12-0 LET
HALF
LET Try - #11 Janelle Agot (Convert Missed) 17-0 LET
LET Try - #8 Sydney DeLaMare (#14 Erin McFadden Convert) 24-0 LET
LET Try - #12 Abby Neudorf (#14 Erin McFadden Convert) 31-0 LET
LET Try - #8 Sydney DeLaMare (Convert Missed) 36-0 LET
Game 5: Lethbridge Pronghorns (41) vs UBC Okanagan Heat (0)
Scoring summary:
|
1 |
2 |
T |
| LET: |
24 |
17 |
41 |
| UBCO: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LET Try - #24 Abby Duguid (#10 Caitlin Sears Convert) 7-0 LET
LET Try - #6 Rebecca Powell (Convert Missed) 12-0 LET
LET Try - #6 Rebecca Powell (Convert Missed) 17-0 LET
LET Try - #23 Genna Wright (#11 Janelle Agot Convert) 24-0 LET
HALF
LET Try - #11 Janelle Agot (Convert Missed) 29-0 LET
LET Try - #7 Christina Norsten (#11 Janelle Agot Convert) 36-0 LET
LET Try - #6 Rebecca Powell (Convert Missed) 41-0 LET
Game 10: UBC Thunderbirds (17) vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns (14)
Scoring summary:
|
1 |
2 |
T |
| UBC: |
5 |
12 |
17 |
| LET: |
7 |
7 |
14 |
LET try - #9 Carolyn McKee (#10 Caitlin Sears Convert) 7-0 LET
UBC try - #6 Madison Gold (Convert missed) 7-5 LET
HALF
UBC try - #7 Kally King (convert missed) 10-7 UBC
UBC try - #10 Jordan McLeod (#10 Jordan McLeod convert) 17-7 UBC
LET try - #23 Genna Wright (#10 Caitlin Sears Convert) 17-14 UBC
Semifinal 1: Victoria Vikes (10) vs Lethbridge Pronghorns (7)
Scoring summary:
|
1 |
2 |
T |
| VIC: |
0 |
10 |
10 |
| LET: |
7 |
0 |
7 |
LET try - #9 Carolyn Mckee (#10 Caitlin Sears convert) 7-0 LET
HALF
VIC try - #11 Nicola Smith (convert missed) 7-5 LET
VIC try - #2 Renee Gonzalez (convert missed) 10-7 VIC
3rd Place Game: UBC Thunderbirds (12) vs Lethbridge Pronghorns (15)
Scoring summary:
|
1 |
2 |
T |
| UBC: |
5 |
7 |
12 |
| LET: |
5 |
10 |
15 |
LET try - #21 Hailey Driscoll (convert missed) 5-0 LET
UBC try - #11 Emily Meier (convert missed) 5-5
HALF
LET try - #21 Hailey Driscoll (convert missed) 10-5 LET
UBC try - #10 Jordan McLeod (#10 Jordan McLeod convert) 12-10 UBC
LET try - #21 Hailey Driscoll (convert missed) 15-12 LET
Final Tournament Standings
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
TIES |
POINTS |
| VIC |
5 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
| ALB |
4 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
| LET |
3 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
| UBC |
3 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
| CGY |
3 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
| TWU |
1 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| UFV |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
| UBCO |
0 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
NOTES: Teams are awarded 15 points for a tournament win, 12 points for finishing 2nd, 10 points for finishing third, 8 points for finishing fourth, 6 points for finishing fifth, 4 point for finishing sixth, 2 points for finishing seventh, and 1 point for finishing eighth.
