Horns rebound for the bronze

WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM DEFEATS UBC IN CANADA WEST THIRD-PLACE GAME

After a tough loss, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby team rallied for an even gutsier win, and as a result of that, a Canada West medal.

The Pronghorns defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 26-13 during the bronze medal game of the Canada West Championship Sunday afternoon at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

Lethbridge rallied from an early 8-0 deficit with tries from Hailey Driscoll and Caitlin Sears for a 12-8 lead at the half.

The Thunderbirds briefly moved back ahead 13-12 early in the second half, but two more Pronghorns tries — this time from Brittany Orr and Hannah Lopez — handed Lethbridge a lead they kept on their way to the Canada West bronze medal as the team now heads back home to host the U SPORTS national championships Nov. 2-5.

In the gold medal game, the Calgary Dinos defeated the Victoria Vikes 26-21 Sunday afternoon to capture this year’s Canada West title and a berth at Nationals in Lethbridge in two weeks.

For Lethbridge, after a tough 20-17 loss to the Vikes to kick off the Canada West Championship Friday, the Horns had to dig deep on Sunday with a medal still up for grabs.

“It was a really good win,” said Pronghorns associate coach Ashley Steacy. “We had a really tough, gritty game against UBC. They defended really well and we had to pound it out. It was hard bringing back the energy from the loss from Friday but the girls pulled together and played a great game and we’re really proud of them.”

With a day off between games, Pronghorns head coach Neil Langevin made sure his roster was ready for Sunday’s game.

“It was just from Neil letting the girls know we needed to manage our emotions and our energy leading into today’s game because Friday was quite a game and when you expend that much energy, emotionally and physically, it’s hard to bounce back,” said Steacy. “But you could tell the girls were a little bit flat in warmup and leading into the game, but as soon as they hit the field they just had to grind it out and it was one of those game where it was a real grind, but you could tell how they poured their heart and soul into it and came out with the win.”

Now, the Pronghorns get ready to host the rest of the country at the beginning of November.

And take that automatic berth as hosts and toss it out the window, the Horns are playing to win in two weeks.

“Heading into nationals, Neil said it again that we’re not going in to just be there and have fun,” said Steacy. “We’re going to win and we’re excited. We’re peaking at the right time. We’ve had two really good games in the Canada West Tournament and we’re definitely hitting our stride. It’s just the right moment for us to have Nationals and bring it all together and put in some great performances.”

Following the Canada West championship game, a pair of Pronghorns were named to the 2017 Canada West Rugby AllStar team as fifth-year centre Brittany Orr and second-year lock Keegan Brantner were named all-stars at their respective positions.

Orr returned to the Pronghorns this season after being away from the program since 2010.

This is her fourth Canada West all-star team, also named a Canada West all-star in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Orr was also named the 2007 Canada West Rookie of the Year and the 2007 CIS Championship MVP when the Pronghorns won their first of three consecutive national titles.

Brantner, from Taber, is a first time all-star.

Prior to joining the Pronghorns, she started at W.R Myers and suited up for the Canadian U18 team.

“They’ve both really stood out to us over the season and especially this weekend at the Canada West,” said Steacy.

“Keegan has been really solid for us in set pieces, so that’s been a bonus for us with her. Her work around the pitches is awesome. Brittany just has that X factor. She can fit in the gaps that you don’t really see are there and she can set other people up for big runs. They’ve both made a really big impact for us this season. We’re really proud of them and it’s great for them to be honoured in that way.”

As well, Dinos fifth-year veteran and Vulcan product DaLeaka Menin was named the 2017 Canada West Rugby Most Valuable Player, as the prop earned the conference’s top individual award for the second consecutive season.

Coming off a summer in which she made the Candian roster for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Menin delivered again for the Dinos this season, leading the defending CW champions to a perfect 4-0 regular season.

Menin now eyes the U SPORTS Player of the Year award, which she claimed in 2016.

Should she win the honour, she would become the first CW player to win the award outright in consecutive seasons.