VANCOUVER- UBC fly-half Mackenzie Carson scored her first ever CIS try and winger Ciara Malone displayed her usual prolific scoring, but it wasn't enough as the UBC Thunderbirds dropped their season opener 47-17 to the UVic Vikes in Canada West women's rugby.
 
UBC actually lead the game 12-3 after the first 30 minutes before the Vikes scored 27 straight points to put the T-Birds away. Despite the loss, Malone, who found the grass behind the goal line twice on the day, was encouraged by her team's start to the season.


 
"We really set the tone for the whole season in the first 20 to 30 minutes," said Malone. "We definitely have a lot to work on and at times I think we made UVic look good, but I'm excited to take this week and get to work with the girls to come out strong next weekend in our next game."
 
Carson, who has been a standout player on Canada's U-20 team, got her first taste of CIS rugby on the afternoon. She marked the occasion by breaking the tackles of multiple UVic players on a 10 yard run to pay dirt in the game's 18th minute.


 
"It was pretty exciting to score my first CIS try," said the native of Abbotsford, BC and Yale Secondary. "It was all through the people behind me. Everyone was working really hard together. It doesn't matter who scores the tries, it's all about the team effort. They really helped me and had my back the whole time, so it made it very easy for me."


 
The Vikes enjoyed unanswered scoring streaks of 27 and 17 in the game to reach the 47-17 final. Vikes' prop Jennifer Appleby scored two tries in the win.
 
Malone, Carson and their Thunderbird teammates will get a chance to grab their first win of the season Sunday, September 25th at 1pm when they host the Calgary Dinos.