CALGARY – The battle of southern Alberta on the women's rugby landscape appears to have taken all new meaning this season. On one side there's the six-time defending champions looking to stay on top, and on the other side there's an up-and-coming program that has grown leaps and bounds in only four seasons.

Heading into the season, the Lethbridge Pronghorns had their sights set on tying the University of Alberta's all-time mark of seven Canada West championships and opened the season on the right foot with two straight wins over the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds this past weekend.

Despite losing three Canada West all-stars from last season, the 'Horns ran their conference winning streak to 22 straight games, dating back to the 2008 season, beating the Vikes 49-5 and Thunderbirds 30-3. The 'Horns last Canada West conference game loss was September 28, 2008, during the seeding tournament 9-5 to the Alberta Pandas.

Third-year winger Paula Woynarowsky led the way offensively last weekend for the 'Horns, scoring four tries in the two wins and is tied atop the conference tries list. Cass Orr recorded two tries with the 'Horns having eight other players scoring a try last weekend.

In only their fourth year in the Canada West, the Calgary Dinos have served notice after the opening weekend of the season that they will be a team to be reckoned with this season. After going winless in their first two seasons, the Dinos earned their first Canada West win last year, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 34-10. Despite already qualifying for the conference final four as the hosts, the Dinos went through the front door, beating the Victoria Vikes and finished third with a 2-2 record.

This season, the Dinos made another statement that they are a program on the upswing, dominating the Thunderbirds and Vikes last weekend on the road. In the season opener, the Dinos decimated the T-Birds 76-10 and completed the west coast sweep, beating the Vikes 47-3.

Sophomores Kate Scotland, Kelcey Leavitt and Katherine Procyshyn were the offensive juggernauts for the Dinos in the opening weekend. Fullback Scotland kicked 14 converts last weekend to lead the conference in scoring with 28 points, while Leavitt, a winger from Calgary is tied for the conference lead in tries with Woynarowsky. Procyshyn sits in second with three tries.

Last year, the 'Horns beat the Dinos 51-7 and the year prior in Calgary the 'Horns came out on top by a 57-11 score.

Kick-off for Saturday is schedule for 2 p.m. at the Calgary Irish Club fields, just off 18 Street NE south of the Calgary International Airport.

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