EDMONTON –
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns closed out their regular-season series against the Alberta Pandas with a 34-26 victory Friday night at Foote Field, securing the 2026 Suggitt Cup after sweeping the two-game series.
The Pronghorns improved to 4-2 on the season, using a strong attacking performance and a hat trick from Zina Umeh to earn the road win and bring the trophy back to Lethbridge for the sixth time in series history.
Umeh led the way with three tries, while Charli Helland added two as the Pronghorns' attack produced five tries in the high-scoring contest.
Lethbridge wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, opening the scoring in the fifth minute. After Sydney McDonald came close to grounding the ball near the sideline, Ashlee Izekor collected the ball and crossed the try line to give the Pronghorns an early lead.
Umeh extended the advantage in the 12th minute, racing through the Pandas' defence to score her first try of the night. Alberta responded through Kaitlin Tettah-Wayoe, who broke through multiple defenders to bring the home side within three.
Umeh struck again in the 25th minute before Alberta answered with a try from Jorja Inglis. Helland restored some breathing room for the Pronghorns in the 32nd minute, finishing a scoring opportunity to extend the lead.
The back-and-forth first half continued as Mayeling Henry Rodriguez scored for the Pandas, bringing Alberta within one point. Helland responded with her second try of the game on the final play of the half, sending Lethbridge into the break with a 27-21 lead.
After a high-scoring opening 40 minutes, both teams tightened up defensively in the second half. Neither side found the try zone for nearly 25 minutes before Umeh completed her hat trick in the 63rd minute, converting the opportunity to give the Pronghorns a 34-21 advantage.
The Pandas continued to push, with Eve Starchuk scoring in the 69th minute to cut the deficit to eight. Lethbridge held on through the closing stages to secure the 34-26 victory.
The win also confirmed the Pronghorns as 2026 Suggitt Cup champions. Named in honour of the late Ric "Sluggo" Suggitt, who coached both the Pronghorns and Pandas during his distinguished rugby career, the annual rivalry series celebrates his lasting impact on both programs and Canadian rugby.
Scoring Summary
|
1
|
2
|
F
|
|
ALB
|
21
|
5
|
26
|
|
LET
|
27
|
7
|
34
|
First Half
5' LET - #3 Ashlee Izekor Try (Convert Missed) 5-0 LET
12' LET - #15 Zina Umeh Try (Convert Missed) 10-0 LET
18' ALB - #8 Kaitlin Tettah-Wayoe Try ( #15 Kate Alcock Convert) 10-7 LET
25' LET - #15 Zina Umeh Try (Convert Missed) 15-7 LET
29' ALB - #1 Jorja Inglis Try (#15 Kate Alcock Convert) 15-14 LET
32' LET - #8 Charli Helland Try (#10 Jayda Morrison Convert) 22-14 LET
38' ALB - #16 Mayeling Henry Rodriguez Try (#15 Kate Alcock Convert) 22-21 LET
40' LET - #8 Charli Helland Try (Convert Missed) 27-21 LET
Second Half
63' LET - #15 Zina Umeh Try (#10 Jayda Morrison Convert) 34-21 LET
69' ALB - #22 Eve Starchuk Try (Convert Missed) 34-26 LET
