Dinos Communications

CALGARY - At the 2017 Canada West third place match between the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at Calgary's McMahon Stadium, the Pronghorns were victorious with a 26 to 13 victory.

The match opened with the T-Birds applying consistent pressure to the Pronghorns, finding themselves past the Horns' 22-meter line for the majority of the opening minutes. The T-Birds threatened the Horns' try line on multiple occasions, coming close to a try at the sixth minute. However, a strong tackle by the Horns a few yards back of the try line forced a lineout which was won by the Horns, keeping the game scoreless.

At the eleventh minute, the Birds were able to break through and score their first try of the match, with Brooke Bazian recording the try to make it 5-0 Birds. After the UBC try, the Horns would find more success in their attack, pushing into the Birds' half. However, after a penalty to the Horns at the 22nd minute, the Birds would elect to kick a penalty goal - which they converted on, to take a 8-0 lead.

As UBC head coach Maria Gallo explains, she was happy with her team's start. "We came out firing and got on the scoreboard first which was fantastic and built a positive momentum. I thought we had an excellent first half, we defended well and we made some great breaks off some opportunities."

After the penalty goal, the Horns would finally break through, scoring their first try of the match at the 24th minute. A strong run along the 15 meter line would see the Horns score. The Horns kept pressing, as five minutes later, they would score another try, and add the convert, to take a 12-8 lead into halftime.

"I think the girls were resilient," explains head coach Neil Langevin explains.

Three minutes into the second half, the Horns came close to extending their lead. Strong tackles, and phenomenal play in the rucks and mauls saw the Birds able to withstand the Horns' pressure. The Birds were not able to gain control of the ball until eight minutes into the second half, but the Horns quickly regained control. This was the story of the first seventeen minutes of the second half - whenever the Birds gained control of the ball, the Pronghorns would win it back with swarming defense and pressure. However, the Birds would capitalize on their first major opportunity of the second half, scoring the frames first try at the 57th minute. Second year flanker Shayna Slobin would produce a strong run after receiving the ball along the fifteen meter line, putting the Birds up 13-12.

At the 69th minute, the Pronghorns would re-gain the lead as fifth year center Brittany Orr would receive a clean pass from flyhalf Rebecca Gannon to score the try. The Horns would convert on the kick, to take a 19-13 lead.  The Horns would add a late try and convert in the 79th minute to secure a 26-13 victory. 

In assessing her team's second half, UBC coach Maria Gallo notes: "The next forty minutes were not exactly the same, we had some moments of brilliants, but afterwards, some of the girls, as far as fight was concerned, we ere back on our heels way too much and the Pronghorns kept coming at us."

Pronghorns head coach Neil Langevin was happy with his team's finish. "I think our depth and fitness really showed up in the last ten minutes. We've used our bench all year and it worked out very well. Our girls held in very well in an incredible defensive effort by UBC. Their tackling was some of the best I have ever seen."

Although the Thunderbirds will enter the offseason, the Pronghorns will prepare for the 2017 national tournament. As Pronghorns head coach Neil Langevin explains: "We are going to nationals not only looking to be a host but we are looking to win some games and compete well, and represent Canada West."

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Half

UBC – Brooke Bazian try, 11' (Hera Sfikas convert), 5-0 UBC

UBC –  Brooke Bazian penalty, 22', 8-0 UBC

LET –  Hailey Driscoll try, 24', 8-5 UBC

LET – Caitlin Sears try, 29' (Caitlin Sears convert), 12-8 LETH

2nd Half

UBC - Shayna Slobin try, 57', 13-12 UBC

LET - Brittany Orr try, 69' (Caitlin Sears convert), 19-13 LETH

LET - Hannah Lopez try, 79' (Caitlin Sears convert), 26-13 LETH