VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team play their season opener against Canada West defending champions the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns this Friday, Sept. 21, on Wallace Field. The Vikes were fourth in last year's conference and will be looking to topple the Pronghorn dynasty. Lethbridge has had six consecutive Canada West titles from 2005-11.
 
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In his first game as head coach of the Vikes women's rugby team, Mark Hall will be drawing on his 35 years of coaching experience to guide the UVic women to a home opener victory. Counting on senior players such as fourth and fifth-year captains Courtney Goulet (White Rock, BC) and Melissa Robinson (North Vancouver, BC) to lead the group, Hall's squad has a great combination of both youthful talent and veteran skill.
 
Freshman Dacey Livingstone (Red Deer, AB) will provide some excitement on the wing with her speed and deception while fourth-year 2011 Canada West All-Star Abby Goodwin (Charlottetown, PEI) will lead the second row of the scrum. After an injury early in last season prevented her from playing out her final year of eligibility, prop Chelsey Minter (Sidney, BC) returns for her fifth year. 
 
The Pronghorms arrive in Victoria with 22 returning players led by four-time Canada West All-Star Brandi Van Euewen and captain Kendra Reeves. However, the team will be missing two-time Canada West Player of the Year Kelsey Willoughby and 2011 Canada West Rookie of the Year Kayla Moleschi as both are taking the year off to train with the Canadian Sevens team.
 
The Vikes women's rugby team kicks off their season Sept. 21 at 5:00 p.m. on Wallace Field.