VANCOUVER – A historic Friday night for the UBC women's rugby program culminated in a 29-19 come-from-behind victory over the Alberta Pandas at Ken Wood Field, as the 2017 Canada West season kicked off.
UBC freshman winger
Shoshanah Seumanutafa recorded three tries in her 'Blue and Gold' debut as UBC beat Alberta in women's rugby for the first time in school history.
"I'm excited for the girls and I'm excited for the future," said UBC head coach
Maria Gallo. "We're a young squad, but we put the right foot forward today and hopefully we can keep it going for the rest of the season."
Alberta hit the score sheet first when Ferris Sandboe blasted into the scoring area in the game's 2nd minute. Ali Wicklum converted and the Pandas were up 7-0.
Seumanutafa caught fire, replying for the 'Birds in the 7th minute and then following up with another score in the 34th minute, both tries were unconverted and UBC led 10-7.
Alberta took the lead back before half when Heidi Farley found the scoring area. Wicklum was good on the conversion and the Pandas went out front 14-10.
The Pandas added to their lead in the 43rd minute with a score by Lora Lee, but it was UBC who dominated from there.
Alayna Scramstad made a blistering run down the field to score five for the 'Birds.
Brooke Bazian was good on the convert and it 19-17 Alberta.
The game's final 15 minutes definitely belonged to Seumanutafa, as she forced the referee to call a penalty try in the 67th minute when she was fouled while pushing toward the corner flag and then scored her third try of the game in the 77th minute.
"It was really intense and really nerve wracking for me," said Seumanutafa,. "We really focused on quick hands and keeping the ball out wide, which really helped our group. I'm hoping we can just keep that up."
"It was a great game," said Alberta head coach Matt Parrish. "I was really impressed with the opening minutes. I though both teams really put together some good stuff. I think we might have ran out of gas a bit in the second half, but full credit to UBC. They played really well and it was a big jump from last year."
Alberta will head to Vancouver Island for a match with the UVic Vikes on Sunday, while UBC gets a full week off before playing the Vikes in Victoria on September 24.
Scoring Summary
2nd minute - Alberta TRY - Ferris Sandboe (convert by Ali Wicklum) - 7-0 Alberta
7th minute - UBC TRY -
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (convert missed) - 7-5 Alberta
34th minute - UBC TRY -
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (convert missed) - 10-7 UBC
40th minute - Alberta TRY - Heidi Farley (convert by Ali Wicklum) - 14-10 Alberta
HALFTIME
43rd minute - Alberta TRY - Lora Lee (convert missed) - 19-10 Alberta
48th minute - UBC TRY -
Alayna Scramstad (convert by
Brooke Bazian) - 19-17 Alberta
67th minute - UBC PENALTY TRY (automatic conversion) - UBC 24-19
77th minute - UBC TRY -
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (convert missed) - UBC 29-19
