VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's rugby team fell to the Calgary Dinos 31-17 in their home opener Friday afternoon.
 
Although the defeat isn't the best start to the season, the Thunderbirds showed determination and perseverance throughout the entire 80 minutes of play, attesting to the character of the team.
 
Not only did UBC open scoring for the evening, they closed it as well, earning conversions on both their tries.
 
"They're super resilient athletes," head coach Maria Gallo said following the loss. "They believe in themselves fully and they're highly motivated so I'm not surprised they didn't give up."
 
UBC's first try came 18 minutes into the game when fourth-year player Ciara Malone (Delta, B.C.) ran the ball half the length of the field, recovering possession from a ruck. Fourth-year Paige Smith (Surrey, B.C.) was able to convert the try for an additional two points.
 
The Dinos earned their first of four consecutive tries in the 27th minute, driving into the end zone from a lineout. Calgary's defence was at times overpowering for the T-Birds' smaller roster, but some tackles on the line later in the game helped keep the score down.
 
"Gillian Boag (Calgary, Alta.) was outstanding," Gallo said of UBC's number seven. "Three tackles in the corner there [in the second half] to prevent that one easy try. And Louisa Hadley (Burlington, Ont.) – our captain – was solid as well."
 
Not only were senior members of the Thunderbirds working hard, but first-year players were doing their part to take down Dinos fullback Elysa Sandron, who scored two out of Calgary's five tries and successfully converted four of them.
 
"We had some rookies step up and do some good work, too," Gallo said. "Maddie Woodward (Calgary) and Madison Gold (Merville, B.C.) – we call them the Maddie Twins – they did quite well."
 
The Thunderbirds scored the final try of the game in the waning minutes of the second half, where Malone plucked the ball from a ruck and ran it across the field again. Smith converted the try, and combined with a successful penalty kick she had in the first, earned UBC its final output of 17 points.
 
There is little time for both teams to rest. The Thunderbirds will return to the field on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Lethbridge Pronghorns, while the Dinos will travel to Victoria for a game against the Vikes at 12:30 p.m. PT.

SCORING SUMMARY 
18:00 – UBC try, Ciara Malone (15); conversion Paige Smith (10) [UBC 7, CGY 0]
25:02 – UBC penalty kick, Paige Smith (10) [UBC 10, CGY 0]
26:30 – CGY try, DaLeaka Menin (3); NO conversion, Elysa Sandron (15) [UBC 10, CGY 5]
30:29 – CGY try, Elysa Sandron (15); conversion, Elysa Sandron (15) [UBC 10, CGY 12]
45:10 – CGY try, Elysa Sandron (15); NO conversion, Elysa Sandron (15) [UBC 10, CGY 17]
64:40 – CGY try, Jade Menin (7); conversion, Elysa Sandron (15) [UBC 10, CGY 24]
74:12 – CGY try, Kasselle Menin (6); conversion, Elysa Sandron (15) [UBC 10, CGY 31]
80:00 – UBC try, Ciara Malone (15); conversion, Paige Smith (10) [UBC 17, CGY 31]