CALGARY - For the first time in the brief three-year existence of the University of Calgary varsity women's rugby program, the Dinos are pleased to welcome the conference's best to Calgary for the 2011 Canada West Rugby Championship.

The event opens on Friday with a pair of semi-finals at Hellard Field, with the final round set for Sunday at McMahon Stadium.

Friday's first semi-final at 11 a.m. pits the five-time defending Canada West champion Lethbridge Pronghorns (4-0) against the Victoria Vikes (1-3), who had to defeat UBC in their last game of the season to qualify for the conference tournament. At 1 p.m., it's a Battle of Alberta rugby style as the host Dinos taste their first playoff action against Alberta.

Sunday's bronze medal match goes at 11 a.m. at McMahon, with the conference championship game set for 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The winner advances to the CIS championship in Peterborough, Ont.

Here's a quick summary of each team's 2011 season and how they got to the postseason:

#1 LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (4-0)
For the third time in three years, the five-time defending Canada West Champions Lethbridge Pronghorns finished the conference schedule with a perfect 4-0 record, outscoring opponents 189-to-14 along the way.

The nucleus of this year's team has experienced the thrill of winning national championships and the sour taste of a fourth place finish last year. While there were two close losses at Nationals, the 'Horns have worked hard in the off season on improving their fitness. With an emphasis on team speed, this year's squad has not disappointed.

While the usual suspects, reigning Canada West player of the year Kelsey Willoughby, Brandi van Eeuwen and captain Kendra Reeves have led an improved forward group, the contributions from newcomers has truly been impressive.

Sarah Gordon, Cassandra Orr and Kayla Moleschi, have stepped right into the line-up and contributed immediately as evident on the conference scoring list. Gordon led the conference in points with 31 and Orr led the conference in tries scored with 6 (30pts). Moleschi has been an imposing force at both ends of the field, scoring five tried and despite her small stature a tenacious tackler on the defensive end.

#2 ALBERTA PANDAS (3-1)
The No. 7 ranked University of Alberta Pandas rugby team heads into the Canada West championship tournament as the second seed after finishing conference play with a 3-1 record.

Alberta, winners of five straight CIS titles from 1999-2003, picked up regular season wins over Victoria, UBC and Calgary, and suffered their only loss to the five-time defending Canada West champions from Lethbridge. Considering the Pronghorns breezed to a 4-0 record this season, and that only one team from Canada West advances to the CIS championship tournament, Lethbridge will be the team to beat this weekend in Calgary.

First things first, the Pandas will need to dispatch of the much improved host Dinos if they wish to tackle the Pronghorns.  Last weekend in Edmonton the Green and Gold did just that, beating Calgary 25-10.  In that game Alberta received three tries from Louise Chavarie, as well as singles from team scoring leader Karlee Carbert and Chelsea Guthrie.

The Pandas will need Carbert, as well as veterans Teanna Chase, Marlene Nedved as well as Chavarie to be at their absolute best in Calgary if the team is to experience success.  Newcomer Hayley Sandboe, who brings speed to the Alberta wings, will also be counted on.

#3 CALGARY DINOS (2-2)
It has been a season full of firsts for the No. 10-ranked Dinos women's rugby program as it gets set to host the conference tournament. After suffering through two seasons of winless rugby, the Dinos tasted victory for the first time in their first game of the season, defeating UBC 34-10.

“It feels good,” Dinos head coach Simon Chi said at the time. “It's obviously something we've worked hard to achieve.”

It didn't take long to hit the win column for the second time, with a 31-15 win over Victoria following just two days later. After a two-week break, the Dinos met defeat in both of their games against provincial rivals last weekend, falling 51-7 to Lethbridge and 25-10 to the Pandas in Edmonton.

Lizzie MacKinnon was the Dinos' leading scorer this year, with three tries on the campaign. Brynna Walker, Katherin Procyshyn, and Samantha Crandell each scored twice.

#4 VICTORIA VIKES (1-3)
Captains Randi Hunter and Melissa Robinson will be relied upon heavily to lead the young Vikes squad. Third-year lock Abby Goodwin (scored three tries to help push the Vikes 20-5 over the UBC Thunderbirds last weekend earning them the final playoff berth.

The Vikes enter the playoffs with a 1-3-0 record and are led by Goodwin, with 15 points from her hat-trick last Saturday, as well as Hunter, with 6 points derived from penalty goals. Both Hunter and fellow co-captain Robinson bring national team experience into the youthful squad who are short the strengths of prop Chelsey Minter and No. 8 man Jesse Olynyk. Both Minter and Olynyk suffered injuries and elected to take the season off but both can be seen still sporting the blue and gold from the sidelines as assistants to head coach Bruce Howe.

2011 Canada West Rugby Championship – SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 21 – Hellard Field, Shouldice Park
11 a.m. - #1 Lethbridge vs. #4 Victoria
1 p.m. - #2 Alberta vs. #3 Calgary

Sunday, Oct. 23 – McMahon Stadium
11 a.m. – Bronze Medal game
1 p.m. – Championship Final

-UC-