The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team is looking for its third straight national title, with the first stage of that process a run through the Canada West conference championships this weekend in Edmonton.
On Friday afternoon, the Horns booked their spot in Sunday's title game with an 86-0 rout of Victoria Vikes in the first of two semifinal games.
The lopsided victory over the Vikes was hardly unexpected. After completing the inaugural Canada West conference schedule undefeated, the Pronghorns (4-0 CW, 7-0 overall) entered the conference championship tournament as the top seed. The Vikes (1-3 CW), who were thumped 71-0 by the Horns earlier in the season, were in as the fourth seed.
In the second semifinal, the Alberta Pandas (3-1 CW and second seeded) hosted the UBC Thunderbirds (2-2 CW, third seed).
The Horns expect to face Alberta in Sunday afternoon's 1 p.m. title game. The two teams clashed just last weekend at the new U of L Community Sports Stadium with the Horns prevailing 22-7.
In other Horns' news, a busy weekend of Canada West action sees the men's hockey team, along with both men's and women's soccer teams, all playing at home. As well, the women's basketball team hosts the University of Montana Western for a pair of non-conference games.
Men's Hockey
The Pronghorn men's hockey team (1-2-1 CW, 5-6-2 overall) will have revenge on its mind this weekend as they host the UBC Thunderbirds (3-0-1 CW, 4-3-1 overall). The T-Birds knocked out the Horns in the first round of playoffs last year in three games, all three games going to overtime, including a double OT series deciding game.
The T-Birds have opened the season with two strong weeks and are ranked ninth in the first CIS Top-10 rankings. The T-Birds swept the previously undefeated Manitoba Bisons last weekend in Vancouver.
Puck drops both Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
Live stats for both games can be found at: http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/mens/en/stats/schedule.php?date=2009-10-09
Soccer
The women's soccer team (0-10-0 CW) plays its final home games of the season this weekend, hosting the CIS fourth-ranked Victoria Vikes (6-1-3 CW), Saturday, and Fraser Valley Cascades (4-3-3 CW) on Sunday.
Earlier this season, the Horns were beaten 3-0 by both teams at their respective home fields.
Kick-off for both games is scheduled for noon at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium.
The men's soccer team (1-6-3 CW), coming off a pair of ties last weekend on the road, also hosts the Victoria Vikes (5-5-1 CW) Saturday and Fraser Valley Cascades (3-7-1) Sunday.
The Horns will attempt to play spoiler this weekend, as the Vikes are holding onto the final playoff spot in Canada West, only two points ahead of the Calgary Dinos.
Women's Hockey
The Women's Hockey team (1-3-0 CW, 4-6-0 overall) heads out on the road, traveling to Vancouver to face the UBC Thunderbirds (1-1-0 CW).
The Thunderbirds had a bye this past weekend and split their season opening series with the Calgary Dinos over Thanksgiving weekend in Vancouver.
Puck drops in Vancouver at 7:30 p.m. PST both Friday and Saturday nights at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sport Centre.
Live stats for both games can be found at: http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/womens/en/stats/schedule.php?date=2009-10-09
Women's Basketball
The women's basketball team (0-0 CW, 4-2 overall) will conclude its non-conference schedule this weekend, hosting the University of Montana Western in a pair of games.
The Horns have had a solid pre-season, winning a tournament in Kamloops and posting another strong showing last weekend in Regina. The Horns defeated the Brandon Bobcats and lost two close games to strong Canada West teams in Victoria and Regina.
Tip off for Friday night's game is 7 p.m., while Saturday's game is set for 4 p.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball team (0-0 CW, 1-1 overall) will also complete the pre-season this weekend and heads back down south for the second consecutive week, traveling to Montana to face the University of Great Falls and Montana Tech.
The Horns basketball teams will kick off their respective conference schedules next weekend, traveling to Edmonton to face the University of Alberta.
