VICTORIA— The University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team kicked off their 2014-15 season at home on Wallace Field against the Calgary Dinos. The Vikes fell 26-8 to the Dinos.
 
Angela Thompson earned the only try for Victoria. Kate Scotland proved her conversion abilities for Calgary, kicking three through the uprights. Karly Guebert, Ellen McGregor, Elysa Sandron and Natasha Loucks all scored tries for Calgary.
 
Each squad pushed hard in the first minutes of the game, scrumming deep in both ends.
 
Victoria's Jessica Neilson kicked off the scoring with a penalty kick, putting the Vikes ahead 3-0. The Dinos rallied back, earning 7 points off a well-fought try from Karly Guebert and a conversion from Kate Scotland, placing them in the lead 7-3.
 
The Vikes found the Dinos a solid force, having trouble penetrating their defence. Kara Galbraith had a long run past Calgary's back end, but couldn't bring the ball across the goal line. Moments later Neilson powered down the right side of the field, again stopped steps from the goal line.
 
At the end of the first half, Calgary still led 7-3.
 
Calgary dominated early in the second half. Ellen McGregor sped past the Victoria defense, easily earning the Dinos second try of the game. Scotland kicked the conversion, putting Calgary ahead 14-3.
 
Midway through the second, Calgary broke through the Victoria end, Elysa Sandron running a try across the line off a pass from Katherine Procyshyn, putting them ahead 19-3.
 
With only minutes left in the match, the Dinos secured their lead, with Natasha Loucks running a try over the line. Scotland again had the conversion, placing Calgary 26-3.
 
Sheriden Davis of Victoria raced down the far left side of field, looking to give the Vikes their first try of the game, but was tackled down by Calgary.
 
In the last minute of play, Victoria proved their grit, with Angela Thompson powering through the goal line for an unconverted try. The final score was 26-8  in favour of Calgary.
 
"It was an encouraging start, especially the first 35 minutes of the game," said Vikes head coach Mark Hall. "We need to improve our ball contact, Calgary dominated us in that respect."
 
Victoria faces off at a home against Alberta on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. at Wallace Field. Calgary's next match sees them travel to Lethbridge for Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary
 Jessica Neilson (1P)
Angela Thompson (1T)