GUELPH, Ont. (U SPORTS) — Adia Pye scored two tries as the No.8-seed UBC Thunderbirds overcame a second-half red card to defeat the No.4-seed Guelph Gryphons 22-10 Friday in the semifinals of the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship at Alumni Stadium.
The victory sends UBC to Sunday's gold-medal game against Victoria, where the Thunderbirds will attempt to capture their third consecutive national championship.
It will be the fourth meeting between the Canada West rivals this season, with the Vikes having won all three previous encounters.
Guelph opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Amanda Sarabura kicked a penalty goal to give the host Gryphons an early 3-0 advantage.
UBC responded five minutes later through Jaime Dickson, with Sarah Macpherson adding the conversion to put the Thunderbirds ahead 7-3.
Pye crossed for her first try in the 21st minute, extending UBC's lead to nine points.
Guelph answered in first-half stoppage time when Madeline Di Girolamo scored a try. Sarabura converted to cut the deficit to 12-10 at halftime.
The Thunderbirds faced adversity after the break, with Savannah Pelletier receiving a red card in the 49th minute. UBC also received three yellow cards during the contest.
Despite playing shorthanded, UBC maintained its narrow advantage before Pye scored her second try in the 63rd minute to extend the lead to 17-10.
Sierra Hasse followed with another try just two minutes later, giving the Thunderbirds a 12-point cushion.
Neither team scored over the final five minutes as UBC secured its place in the championship game.
Victoria and UBC will meet for gold at 2:00 p.m. It's a rematch of last year's championship game, which the 'Birds won 15-13 on a dramatic, walk-off try by Pye at Thunderbird Stadium.
