Edmonton, AB – The University of Victoria women's rugby team travelled to the Canada West Championships and defeated the University of Alberta 67-0, Oct. 16, and will now advance to the Gold Medal Game, Oct. 19.
 
Vikes' offense put the Panda's on their heels as the Vikes scored early and often, 33-0 after the first half.

• Vikes struck fast as in the 1^st minute of the game Carissa Norsten broke through Alberta's defenders on a long run and fed Olivia Newsome to speed down the sideline and over the try line. Newsome completed the conversion to put the Vikes on top 7-0.
• In the 9^th minute, the Vikes made an offensive push, looking for an opportunity to break through Alberta defenders. The ball was swung outside to Eden Kilgour, and she dove across the line for the Vikes' second try of the game. Newsome converted again pushing the Vikes' lead to 14-0.
• In the 18^th minute, Carissa Norsten diced up defenders as she broke off a long run to score the Vikes' third try of the game. Newsome converted her third in a row for a 21-0 lead.
• In the 24^th minute, an excellent team effort displayed from the Vikes as Shaye Ogurek, with push from her teammates, marched through Panda defenders and into the try zone. Newsome continued her hot streak with yet another conversion for a 28-0 lead.
• In the 35^th minute, the Vikes continuously passed the ball to the outside while break the Panda defenders' tackle attempts, until it was offloaded to Carissa Norsten for the second try of the game.

 
Vikes continued their dominate ways in the second half

• To kickoff the second half the Vikes made a push for the try zone as the kicked it to the outside to Chloe Hill Huse where she scored her first try of the game. Hill Huse's try and Newsome's convert pushed the Vikes' lead to 40-0.
• In the 55^th minute, Ivy Poetker showed off her strength as she powered through the grasps of Panda defenders to score her second try of the game. Newsome converted once again for the 7-point play and a 47-0 Vikes' lead.
• In the 64^th minute, Olivia Newsome added a try of her own as she capped off a great rush by the Vikes.
• The Vikes kept the pressure on as Piper Walsh intercepted a pass by the defenders and had no one to beat on her way to the try zone.
• ShonDreya Smardon added one more try to the Vikes total as she broke outside and into the Panda's try zone to push the lead to 62-0.
• A replica to her try prior, ShonDreya Smardon scored her second try of the game as she once again burst across the try line to solidify the Vikes' win 67-0.

 
The Vikes will now play the UBC Thunderbirds in the Canada West women's rugby gold medal game on Oct. 19 in Edmonton, Alberta.