VICTORIA— Following a tough loss against Alberta, the University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team took on the Lethbridge Pronghorns at home on Wallace Field at 11:30 a.m., falling 24-22 after 80 minutes of hard-fought play.
 
Victoria saw points from Jessica Neilson, Sya Trafford, Tiffany Picketts and Chelsea Palman. Lethbridge scorers were Rebecca Gannon, Sarah Gordon and Kara Loewen.
 
The Vikes dominated from the first whistle, keeping play deep in the Lethbridge end. Jessica Neilson earned Victoria their first 7 points, nailing the try and conversion for a 7-0 lead. Moments later, Lethbridge powered back, with Rebecca Gannon scoring a try and Sarah Gordon kicking the conversion for a tied score of 7-7.
 
Victoria found more opportunity in the Lethbridge end. Sya Trafford ran through a scrambling back end for an effortless try, putting the Vikes ahead 12-7.
 
While both teams struggled with missed passes and fumbled catches, Victoria was able to capitalize on Lethbridge's mistakes in the first half. Before the close of the first half, Kara Loewen of Lethbridge ran through a try, evening the score 12-12.
 
Victoria opened scoring in the second. Tiffany Picketts drove an unconverted try over the line, bringing the score to 17-12 in their favour. Not one to give up a lead, Lethbridge's Loewen sped past the Vikes back end. Gordon kicked the conversion, putting the Pronghorns ahead 19-17.
 
Battling back, the Vikes had a series of quick passes that resulted in Chelsea Palman's first try of the game, making the score 22-19 with 20 minutes left to play. Lethbridge put the pressure on, controlling play in the Victoria end until the final whistle. Their persistence paid off, earning a late try from Loewen that made the score 24-22.
 
The Vikes rallied back in the last minute, leaving everything on the field. The final score was 24-22 for Lethbridge.
 
"A very disappointing game. We made far too many bad decisions," said head coach Mark Hall. "We weren't hungry enough for a win."
 
The Vikes travel to the University of British Columbia for their first away game of the season, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.