VANCOUVER – The University of Victoria Vikings overcame a 15-8 half-time deficit to the UBC Thunderbirds, scoring three straight tries in the second half en route to a 27-20 win. Victoria clinched third in conference play with the win on a 2-2 record while UBC dropped to 1-3 in the final Canada West regular season game for both schools.
“It was a tough second half,” said UBC head coach Lesley McKenzie. “We used our entire bench from injury rather than tactical substitutions.”
After managing just one try in the first half, the Vikes scored three consecutive in the second half to take the lead and ultimately the win. Chelsey Minter drove in the opening tries of each half for UVic.
“We didn't put ourselves in the best position going into the second half,” said McKenzie. “We had the ability to put more of a point cushion on in the first half. I think we had the legs out wide in our backline and also in our forward pack to put more points on the board and be more ruthless in our execution in the first half.”
Darcy Patterson ran in the first UBC try before going down to injury and sitting out the rest of the game on the bench. Gabby Hindley had two more for the Blue and Gold, including blasting one through a crowd in the final minute.
Blaine Lyons also scored for UBC.
Jesse Olynyk and Abby Goodwin scored tries for the Vikings. Olynyk found some daylight in the dying minutes and sprinted to the middle of the end zone, ensuring a Randi Hunter convert and putting the game out of reach for UBC. It was the first time in a decade that Victoria has beaten the Thunderbirds.
The loss means the 'Birds will have to face undefeated Lethbridge in the Canada West tournament.
“I'm okay with our effort, but it just means we've taken a harder road in Canada West,” said McKenzie. “But to get to nationals you have to play Lethbridge anyway.”
Scoring Summary
1. 15:00 UVic – Minter – try (no convert) 5-0
2. 19:00 UBC - Patterson try (no convert) 5-5
3. 28:00 UVic – Hunter penalty goal 8-5
4. 35:00 UBC – Hindley try (no convert) 8-10
5. 40:00 UBC – Lyons try (no convert) 8-15
6. 50:00 UVic – Minter try (no convert) 13-15
7. 69:00 Uvic – Goodwin try (Hunter convert) 20-15
8. 79:00 UVic – Olynyk try (Hunter convert) 27-15
9. 80:00 UBC – Hindley try (no convert) 27-20
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