EDMONTON - Returning to the pitch for the first time in 714 days, the Pandas Rugby 15s team returns to Canada West action this weekend, as they visit the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Saturday night. 

Saturday will mark the first Pandas conference game since October 5th, 2019, a 34-12 defeat at the hands of the very same Pronghorns.

After missing the 2020 season, the Pandas are eager to improve on their 0-6 record in the 2019 Canada West season.

The team retains some familiar faces from seasons past, as well as a fresh influx of talent - some of whom have waited over a year to don the Pandas jersey in conference action. Among the rookies includes Bronwyn Dormaar, an Edmonton product who is also competing with the Pandas wrestling team. This team is not short on leadership, with 4^th year veterans Alexa Martin, Izzy McGowan, Jody Siemens, and Athea Volpe rounding out an impressive group of returnees.

After Saturday's game against the Pronghorns, the Pandas 15's schedule takes them on a west coast trip; visiting UBC and Victoria on September 23 & 26, respectfully. They swing back for a home date against Lethbridge on October 3rd before the season ending away-home series against Calgary on the 16^th and 22^nd.

With the wrap-up of the 15s season, the Pandas will switch focus to rugby 7s in the new year. The Pandas 7s finished better than their 15s counterparts, placing 3rd of eight teams in their competition. Third-year Heidi Peake, who finished T-2 in overall 7s scoring, returns to a team who should pack a potent offensive punch. The 2019 7s outscored their opponents by a 341-200 margin.

The Pandas last Canada West championship came in 2014, the last of a three-peat from 2012-14. Head Coach Matt Parrish will be entering his 17th competition year with the Pandas, brandishing an impressive 68-41-3 (.621) record in all 15s competition. With 5 Canada West titles and a 2013 CIS Championship under his belt, he will look to lead these Pandas to more success for the program.
 

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SEASON PREVIEW

2019 CW regular season record: /0-6/, 5^th  
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2014 / 10
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2013 / 6
 
2019 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 41 points, 5^th
Defence: 193, 5^th
 
2019 CW regular season leaders:
Points: 12 – Shelby Pierce, Position
Tries: 2 – Shelby Pierce, Position
Converts: 1 – Three players tied (Bella Adatia, Kate Manning, Shelby Pierce)
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Bronwyn Dormaar / Back Three / 1^st / Millet, AB / Nor'Westers
Amelia Bolton / Back Row / 1^st / Leduc, AB / Leduc Crude
Molly Stetsko / Back Row / 1^st / Edmonton, AB / Nor'Westers
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Courtney Holtkamp / Back Row / Rimbey, AB / 3
Savannah Dubien / Back Three / Edmonton, AB / 4
Heidi Farley / Back Three / Beaumont, AB / 4
Cara Park / Scrum Half / Parkland County, AB / 4
 
Key performer:
Bella Adatia
Back Row
3^rd Year
Edmonton, AB
 
With a handful of key contributors graduating from the Pandas program following the 2019 season, there will be a larger emphasis placed on returning student-athletes.  
 
One such athlete is third-year Pandas Back Row Bella Adatia. Without former CW All-Star Courtney Holtkamp at that position, head coach Matt Parrish will look to Adatia to replace some of that scoring punch.
 
Adatia recorded a convert in 15's play in 2019, as well as two tries and one convert in the Rugby 7's season in 2020. The young Pandas will also look to Adatia for her leadership both on and off the field.