Edmonton, AB – The University of Victoria women's rugby team opened the 2026 Canada West 7s season with a dominant 4-1 performance at the University of Alberta's tournament, January 24 and 25 at The Dome at Foote Field.
TOURNAMENT RECAP
Vikes ran all over Lethbridge in opener.
- Victoria opened the 7s season with a dominant 45-10 win over Lethbridge in the first match of the day.
- Olivia Newsome had a busy game as she scored two tries and contributed three converts to the Vikes' scoring barrage.
- Ivy Poetker and Cypress Des Ormeau-Scmidt both scored two tries of their own, making it 45 consecutive points to open the game for the Vikes.
- Kyla Warren, along with Des Ormeau Scmidt, found the try zone while appearing in their first game with the Vikes' 7s squad.
Victoria shut out Calgary.
- The Vikes proved they were no match for the Dinos as they outscored Calgary 33-0 in the second game of the day.
- Ivy Poetker got the Vikes off to a hot start, scoring two early tries to take a fast 14-0 lead.
- The Vikes never looked back as Vanessa Chiapetta, Olivia Newsome, and Cypress Des Ormeaux-Schidt added tries to secure the 33-0 win.
Vikes extended shutout streak to two straight games.
- Another win and another shutout as Victoria dominated Trinity Western 29-0 in the third win of the day.
- Maggie Mackinnon scored two tries, being a large contributor in the Vikes' win.
- Chiapetta, Poetker, and Des Ormeaux-Scmidt added a try each as they continued to find the try zone.
Vikes made it four straight wins against Alberta.
- For the first time all tournament, the Vikes found themselves trailing 14-7 at halftime against Alberta.
- Ivy Poetker led the charge back as her two second-half tries helped propel the Vikes to their fourth straight victory.
- The Vikes showed resiliency as 21 unanswered points in the second half secured the 28-14 win.
Vikes fall to UBC in the last game of the tournament.
- UBC delivered Victoria their only loss of the tournament as the Vikes fell 22-7.
- Olivia Newsome scored the only try for the Vikes in the loss.
UP NEXT
The Vikes will return home to host the second leg of the Canada West 7s tournament series. The Victoria leg will be hosted at Wallace Field on February 7 and 8.
