VICTORIA— The second home game of the University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team saw UVic take on the Alberta Pandas on Wallace Field at 5 p.m. The Vikes found defeat, losing 34-5 to the Pandas who are currently ranked No.1 in the CIS and defending national champions.
 
Julia Folk earned the only try for Victoria. Alberta found points from Aanna Fittes, Rebecca Fairbaim, Morgan Palzeit, Dakota Weir, Sara Haring and Amy Speers.
 
In the first minute of play, Alberta's Aanna Fittes sped down Victoria's left side, scoring an easy try. Rebecca Fairbaim missed the conversion, making an early score 5-0. The Vikes rallied back, keeping the play deep in the Pandas end. Victoria continued to face ball fumbles, failing to connect on key passes and handoffs.
 
Fittes was soon racing down the field again, earning her second try of the match. Fairbaim again missed the conversion, making the score 10-0.
 
Victoria's Chelsea Marshall came close to UVic's first conversion, pulled out of bounds before reaching the try line. Steph Hanson also came close to a try, whistled down for a forward pass before scoring.
 
Alberta once again asserted their dominance, earning 7 points off a try and conversion from Morgan Palzeit and Fairbaim, bringing the tally to 17-0. The Vikes Gurpreet Dhaliwal was especially effective on the back row, making huge tackles throughout the game.
 
At the end of the first half, Alberta led 17-0.
 
Five minutes into the second, Alberta's Dakota Weir drove through the Victoria defense for a try, again converted by Fairbaim, making the score 24-0.
 
Maddie Graham of Victoria snagged a breakaway, but couldn't penetrate the tough Alberta back row. Spurned by Graham, Julia Folk powered through and earned the first conversion for the Vikes, narrowing Alberta's lead slightly 24-5.
 
After controlling the play for over 10 minutes, Alberta's Sara Haring earned their fifth try of the game, unconverted for a score of 29-5. The Pandas continued to control play, expertly tackling Victoria whenever presented with the opportunity.
 
Moments before the final whistle Alberta scored another try from Amy Speers, allowing them to finish the game 34-5.
 
"This match was an opportunity to use our new players and they all performed well," said head coach Mark Hall. "It was a really encouraging second half, the girls were much better organized."
 
The team takes Saturday to rest before their next match. "Sunday will be another tough battle," said Hall. The Vikes continue their season at home on Sept. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Wallace Field against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
 
 
Scoring Summary:
 
UVic:
Folk: 1T
 
Alberta: 
Fittes: 2T
Fairbaim: 2C
Palzeit: 1T
Weir: 1T
Haring: 1T
Spears: 1T