VICTORIA – Jenny Vincent would have been proud.

She would have been proud regardless of who won, as she was critical in developing both the University of Victoria Vikes and University of Calgary Dinos rugby programs. But she would have loved to see the rugby that was on display in the Canada West opener Sunday afternoon at Wallace Field.

It appeared as if the Vikes were going to melt away a 15-0 lead at half time, but fifth-year Maddy Abger delivered the game-winning boot with less than four minutes remaining to earn the 18-17 victory.

"It feels great to win this. Our word this year is 'legacy.' The Vikes before us brought the program to where it is now and it feels great to do them proud with this great victory," said Vikes Head Coach Brittany Waters.

The season opener also served as the 10^th annual Jenny Vincent Memorial Game. The Dinos were on an incredible run, winning the past eight matchups after the Vikes won the inaugural affair.

While Aberg's kick was the final scoring of the game, she also got the Vikes going eight minutes in with another penalty kick.

From there, is was a ground-and-pound affair, as nothing easy was gained.

The Dinos final line of defence could have allowed a couple early tries, but good low tackling kept the Vikes off the scoreboard until 11 minutes before half.

The Vikes got the ball moving with great passes from Paige Farries, Nicole Gamm and Jenn Appleby, setting up Ada Okonkwo's first try of the season.

Farries forced a couple turnovers on the afternoon at crucial times. Her first important turnover came just before half, where she stole a ball in her own zone, setting up the third scoring drive for the Vikes.

"The girls did a great job battling and getting into formation early. We capitalized on a couple big plays and built up and big enough lead that we could ride until the end," said Vikes captain Sasha Guedes.

Kelsey McKinnon and Appleby laid a couple walloping hits near the Dinos' try line and eventually, Appleby broke free for the score.

During half time, the Dinos offence woke up.

Initiating their offence early in the half, Kasselle Menin delivered a try three minutes in.

Menin was banging down near the Vikes try line with Sarah Thomas 14 minutes later, but couldn't squeeze it in. The ball eventually came out to Angie Olukunmi and she raced to the other side of the field where Isla Shill eventually dove in for the try.

The Dinos capped off a 17-0 run when Nadia Popov registered her first try of the season with 12 minutes remaining. Catherine Ohler converted her first kick on the afternoon to put the Dinos up 17-15.

"Calgary came back in the second half in their first game of the season, so we knew that they we're going to make a big push in the second half. They're a well oiled machine when it comes to keeping their possession and using their mauls and big forwards to drive us backwards. Credit our defence for hanging in their against those big Dinos," said Waters.

The Vikes battled back, as Farries forced another turnover and drove the ball into Dinos territory.

A penalty for a high tackle gave Aberg the chance to regain the lead for the Vikes with 3:30 remaining and she split the uprights.

The Dinos had a late rush up the left sideline from Kachi Chinwuba, but Gamm stepped up and pasted her out of bounds to kill the clock and save the game.

Up next for the 1-0 Vikes is the first matchup in the Legends Cup, as they host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds next Sunday (1 p.m.) at Wallace Field.