FREDERICTON, NB - The Alberta Pandas defeated the Waterloo Warriors 10-7, capturing their third-straight U SPORTS title on Saturday afternoon in Fredericton. 

The Pandas have now win six national titles in nine seasons, and become the first team in U SPORTS Curling history to win three-straight national banners. Their six national titles are also a record. 

Leading 5-4 through six ends, Pandas skip Serena Gray-Withers drew to the side of the button to score three, giving Alberta an 8-4 lead in what was arguably the shot of the championship. After allowing a steal of two in nine, the Pandas scored two in the 10th to secure the 10-7 win. 

Alberta shot 76% in the final, led by an 84% mark from lead Zoe Cinnamon, and a 81% make percentage from third Catherine Clifford. Clifford was particularly sharp, finishing 20% better than Warriors third Shannon Warriner. Facing two in the 10th end with their last throw, Warriors skip Celia Evans' draw came up light, with the Pandas not needing to throw their final stone. 

The Pandas lineup of Gray-Withers, Clifford, Brianna Cullen, and Cinnamon is identical to the team that captured gold last year in Sudbury. The Alberta women went a perfect 9-0 at the 2024 Championship, going 7-0 in round robin play, before defeating Dalhousie 8-3 in the national semifinal on Saturday morning, and Waterloo in the final. Win nine wins this week, the Pandas have now won 13-straight games at the U SPORTS Championship. 

Competing as a varsity team this season the Pandas went 14-0, which included a 5-0 record at the 2024 Canada West Championship at Saville in January. 

The Golden Bears earned a national bronze medal on Saturday, their first national medal since 2020. Finishing first in the standings with a 6-1 record, the Bears were upset 7-5 by Canada West foe Regina in the semifinal. The Alberta men responded with a 9-7 win over Laurier in the afternoon, scoring two in the 10th end to earn bronze. 

U SPORTS ALL CANADIANS & AWARD WINNERS

Second Team Women

LEAD: BRITNEY MALETTE (Laurentian)
SECOND: MYA SMITH (Laurentian)
THIRD: CATHERINE CLIFFORD (Alberta)
SKIP: ALLYSON MACNUTT (Dalhousie)

Second Team Men

LEAD: DANIEL DEL CONTE (Guelph)
SECOND: WYATT SMALL (Wilfrid Laurier)
THIRD: OWEN MCPHERSON (Dalhousie)
SKIP: JOHNSON TAO (Alberta)

First Team Women

LEAD: CATE FITZGERALD (Dalhousie)
SECOND: BRIANNA CULLEN (Alberta)
THIRD: LINDSEY BURGESS (Dalhousie)
SKIP: SERENA GRAY-WITHERS (Alberta)

First Team Men

LEAD: CAELAN MCPHERSON (Dalhousie)
SECOND: BEN MORIN (Alberta)
THIRD: DYLAN NIEPAGE (Guelph)
SKIP: SAM MOOIBROEK (Wilfrid Laurier)

U SPORTS National Coaching Award

For coach of a Women's team: ALEX HORVATH (Victoria)
For coach of a Men's team: JAMIE SCHNEIDER (Regina)

R.W PUGH FAIR PLAY AND SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Men: DAVID MCCURDY (Wilfrid Laurier)
Women: MEREDITH COLE (Victoria)