VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women's rugby team defeated the University of Alberta, 55-14 at Wallace Field.
 
Maya Addai and Carissa Norsten led the way for the Vikes with two tries each, while Jorja Inglis and Nina McLaren each recorded a try for the Pandas.
 
The Vikes move to 3-0 with the win, while the Pandas fall even at 2-2 following the loss.
 
Victoria got on the board first, recording a try from Olivia Newsome and convert by Vanessa Chiappetta in the fifth minute for a 7-0 lead. The Pandas managed to recover the ball on the kickoff near the opposition 22, but a handling error turned the ball back over the Vikes.
 
The Vikes would register five tries over the next 15 minutes of action, striking in the 13th, 18th, 21st, 24th, and 28th minutes to jump to a 26-0 lead with 12 minutes to play in the first half.
 
Alberta's defence held strong for the final 12 minutes of the first half, holding the Vikes to no additional points to bring the score to 36-0 in favour of Victoria at the half.
 
The Pandas opened the second half on the offensive, with a drive from Katie Nadeau in the 41st minute breaking into the opposing half. Continuing to fight, a run from Maria Sawiak moved the ball up to just outside the 22-metre line, but a knock-on turned the ball back over to UVic.
 
Alberta's defence went nearly 33 minutes without allowing a Vikes score, but the streak ended in the 51st minute with Taylor Morrison driving over the pile near the line to touch the ball down for her first career try. With a convert by Kira Peary, the Vikes took a 43-0 lead.
 
Beginning with Halle Walters getting over midfield into the opposing half, Bea Herrera continued the Pandas' push with a run that brought the visiting team inside the opposing 22. A final push by the Pandas with Inglis carrying the ball resulted in their first try of the day, bringing the score to 43-7 in the 60th minute following a convert from Emerson Henrahan.
 
The Vikes scored in response in the 64th minute, with a try by Remee Brown and convert from Hadley MacPherson extending Victoria's lead to 50-7.
 
Sawiak began a Pandas drive in the 67th minute, driving downfield. Eventually getting the ball to McLaren, McLaren got the ball over the line for the Pandas try. Adding a second convert by Hanrahan, the Pandas brought the score to 50-14.
 
Macy Wiebe added one final try to the scoreline in the 75th minute, bringing the final score to 55-14 in favour of the Vikes. Alberta continues its west coast swing at the University of British Columbia Sunday, Sept. 22.

5' - VIC Try - #11 Olivia Newsome (#12 Vanessa Chiappetta convert) 7-0 VIC
13' - VIC Try - #15 Carissa Norsten (#12 Vanessa Chiappetta convert) 14-0 VIC
18' VIC Try - #15 Carissa Norsten (convert missed) 19-0 VIC
21' VIC Try - #2 Chloe Hill Huse (#12 Vanessa Chiappetta convert) 26-0 VIC
24' VIC Try - #14 Maya Addai (convert missed) 31-0 VIC
28' VIC Try - #28 Maya Addai (convert missed) 36-0 VIC

HALF

51' VIC Try - #17 Taylor Morrison (#10 Kira Peary convert) 43-0 VIC
60' ALB Try - #3 Jorja Inglis (#22 Emerson Hanrahan convert) 43-7 VIC
64' VIC Try - #16 Remee Brown (#25 Hadley MacPherson convert) 50-7 VIC
68' ALB Try - #20 Nina McLaren (#22 Emerson Hanrahan convert) 50-14 VIC
75' VIC Try - #9 Macy Wiebe (convert missed) 55-14 VIC