The Matchup
The UBC Thunderbirds are looking to start their 2017 Canada West season successfully when they welcome the Alberta Pandas to the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre on September 15. Kick-off is at 4 p.m., with the Thunderbirds looking to upgrade on 2016's 1-3 win-loss record, which saw them miss out on the Canada West playoffs.
UBC will field a young squad in 2017, but some big name rookies look poised to make their mark right away.
Sarah Klok, out of Yale Secondary in Abbotsford and
Alayna Scramstad, a Saskatchewan native who was called up to Canada's U-18 team this summer are some the frontline first-year players who should adjust quickly to Canada West.
Last Action
UBC and Alberta met in the Week 3 of the 2016 season, with the Pandas coming out with a decisive 41-19 victory. UBC actually carried the play for the first 30 minutes, but the strong Alberta squad put the pedal to the floor and ultimately won the match.
By the Numbers
8 – the number of tries scored by UBC seniors
Ciara Malone and
Mackenzie Lee in 2016. The 'Birds are going to need their young players to step in and fill the void on offence.
2014 – the last year UBC made the Canada West playoffs in women's rugby.
Maria Gallo's squad will be working tirelessly to break that streak in 2017.
Players to Watch
Mackenzie Carson – the reigning U SPORTS rookie will be leaned on heavily in 2017. She scored three tries in 2016 and was outright dominant in some matches for the Thunderbirds. She is looking to improve upon a memorable freshman season, after being named team captain in the 'Birds training camp.
Shoshanah Seumanutafa – another rookie who will look to step in and contribute right away, the former Bayside Shark has both the power to play in the centre of the field and the evasive running skills to play the wing.
Coach's Take
"From the beginning of the season we been stressing to our young team it's all about attitude and developing skills we need to win games," said Gallo. "Those non-coachable attributes like guts and heart will be vitally important for us. Myself and the assistant coaches have been saying if we put up a fight on the weekend the scoreboard will ultimately reflect that."
