LETHBRIDGE - Pulling away in the second half, the Victoria Vikes advanced to the Canada West final with a 38-12 win over the Alberta Pandas in the conference semifinal on Thursday afternoon. 

Leading by just five at the half, the Vikes outscored the Pandas 26-5 in the second half en route to a decisive win. The win sends Victoria to the Canada West Final, where they will meet either UBC or Lethbridge. Alberta will play the loser in the third-place match on Sunday morning. 
 
The game kicked off with the Vikes taking the lead as Lucie Romeo found an opening in the University of Alberta Pandas' defense, securing a try in the 9^th minute of the match. However, the Pandas responded swiftly, earning the advantage by scoring a penalty conversion in the 13th minute.
 
With the windy conditions dictating the pace of play, both teams opted for a ground-based strategy, maneuvering the ball through scrums to maintain control. Lucie Romeo, a standout for the Vikes, managed to break through the Pandas' defense yet again in the 31st minute, scoring a try at the center post. Maggie MacKinnon successfully converted, giving the Vikes a 12-7 advantage after forty minutes of play.
 
In the second half, the Vikes extended their lead when Maggie MacKinnon found the try zone in the 41st minute. Olivia Newsome added to Victoria's lead, with Maggie MacKinnon once again converting. The Pandas, however, showed resilience as Shelby Pierce embarked on a powerful run to trim the deficit.
 
Lucie Romeo continued to shine in the second half, outpacing the Pandas to score another critical try in the 66th minute. Just moments later, the Vikes regained possession at the Pandas' 40-yard line, and once again, Romeo showcased her exceptional skills by finding a gap along the Pandas' sideline to secure her fourth try of the game. Romeo's remarkable plays allowed her to bring the ball to the center post, scoring her fourth try of the match.
 
Despite their relentless efforts, the Pandas couldn't catch up with the Vikes, and the game ended with the Vikes maintaining control and securing a well-deserved victory to advance to the championship match.
 
           1     2     F
ALB   7      5    12
VIC    12   26   38
 
9' – Victoria Try - #11 Lucie Romeo (Convert Missed); 5-0 VIC
13' – Alberta Try - (Penalty Try); 7-5 VIC
31' – Victoria Try - #11 Lucie Romeo (Convert #12 Maggie MacKinnon); 12-7 VIC
 
HALF
 
41' – Victoria Try - #12 Maggie MacKinnon (Convery Missed); 17-7 VIC
49' – Victoria Try - #14 Olivia Newsome (Convert #12 Maggie MacKinnon); 24-7 VIC
53' – Alberta Try - #14 Shelby Pierce (Convert Missed); 24-12 VIC
66' – Victoria Try - #11 Lucie Romeo (Convert #12 Maggie MacKinnon); 31-12 VIC
69' – Victoria Try - #11 Lucie Romeo (Convert #12 Maggie MacKinnon); 38-12 VIC