Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria women's rugby team took down provincial rival UBC Thunderbirds, 43-25, in the season opener on September 9 at Wallace Field.
 
Newsome made a statement early.

• In the third minute, the Vikes were the first to make a charge on offence. A strong push up the middle got the Vikes deep in the Thunderbirds' zone.  The ball was kicked out to Olivia Newsome, who dashed into the try zone with little resistance. Newsome, who had herself an all-star level 7s season, made an emphatic start to this provincial rivalry. Maggie Mackinnon finished off the kick to give the Vikes an early 7-0 lead over the Canada West preseason top seed, UBC.
• It did not take long for Newsome to add to her imprint on the game. Newsome grabbed the ball from Kyla Warren at midfield and broke outside the Thunderbird defenders. Newsome sprinted down the sideline untouched and into the try zone for her second try in the first ten minutes. The try put the Vikes in front 12-0 nine minutes into the match.

 
UBC broke into the score column.

• Sarah MacPherson capped off a long Thunderbirds' offensive possession as she converted a penalty to grab three points, bringing UBC within eight.

 
Cypress scored in her debut.

• Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt chased down the ball off a Thunderbirds turnover and broke through midfield on a clear breakaway. Cypress danced her way into the try zone for her first try as a Vike in 15s. Olivia Newsome nailed the conversion to retake momentum and extend the Vikes' lead to 19-3.

 
UBC scored their first try of the afternoon.

• In the 36^th minute, the Thunderbirds barrelled their way over the try line to score their first of the Canada West season. The score brought the T-Birds back, making the score 19-8 as the game approached halftime.

 
Vikes start the second half with a statement.

• Eight minutes into the second half, Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt kicked the ball down the UBC side and beat the UBC defenders to the loose ball. As Cypress seized possession, there was no T-Bird left to beat, and she glided into the try zone for her second of the game. The score energized the large crowd and put the Vikes up 24-8 with just over a half hour to play.

 
UBC began a spirited comeback.

• In the 62^nd minute, the Thunderbirds found the try zone for the second time in the match, cutting into the Vikes' lead. Just three minutes later, UBC was back on the attack. With the T-Birds on the brink of scoring another try, the Vikes made a push on defence. The Thunderbirds scored and brought the Vikes' lead to single digits for the first time since the beginning stages of the match.

 
Maddy Grant and the Vikes had something to say about the Thunderbirds' comeback attempts.

• In the 70^th minute, Maddy Grant took over. Grant showed off her speed, bursting through T-Bird defenders for her first try of the game. Just four minutes later, Grant caught a pass from Emilie Brett and would not be taken down. Grant scored her second try and converted her second kick, scoring 14 points herself in five minutes.

 
UBC scored a late try, but the Vikes' lead was too much to overcome.

• With time set to expire, UBC punched in one last try, bringing the final score to 43-25 for the Vikes.

 
Notables:

• This win is the first of the season for the Vikes and gives UBC their first loss as the teams move to 1-0 and 0-1, respectively.

 
The Vikes will return to action at Wallace Field against the Lethbridge Pronghorns on September 12 at 1:00 p.m.