LETHBRIDGE – For the second year in a row and the ninth time in school history, the University of Alberta Pandas are Canada West Champions after defeating the University of Calgary Dinos, 27-10 in Lethbridge.
 
Alanna Fittes score twice, while Julia Goss and Hayley Sandboe scored a try each. Rebecca Fairbairn kicked two converts and a penalty goal. Canada West rookie of the year DaLeaka Menin scored the Dinos lone try and Kate Scotland hit for a convert and penalty goal.
 
The Pandas will now represent the Canada West at the CIS Championships, hosted by the University of Laval in Quebec City, Quebec, October 31^st to November 3^rd.
 
Seeking an upset of the nationally top ranked Alberta Pandas, the Calgary Dinos pushed forward from the opening kick-off, pinning the Pandas deep in their own side of the field for a long stretch. Unfortunately for the Dinos, the Pandas defense, aided by timely tackling, thwarted any Dino rush.
 
Getting on their own offensive foot, the Pandas methodically plodded the ball down the field and it looked like Alanna Fittes would open the scoring but as she crossed the touch line, a Dino defender stole the ball leading to a scrum at the 22.
 
Fittes wouldn't make that mistake again, scoring the opening try a short time later. The try would go unconverted.
Again, the Dinos would push down the field only to see the Pandas continue their stellar defensive play.
 
Hayley Sandboe broke free late in the opening half for the Pandas and raced into the end zone and to the middle of the field for the Pandas second try. Fairbairn made the convert.
 
During stoppage time, the Dinos finally hit the scoreboard on a Kate Scotland penalty goal from 20-yards, making the half time score 12-3 Pandas
Rebecca Fairbairn opened the second half with a penalty goal for the Pandas and pushed the lead to 12 points.
 
Finally seeing a dent in the Pandas defense, Dino prop DaLeaka Menin broke free in the middle of the field, fighting off two Pandas would be tacklers and into the end zone for the try. Scotland made the convert to cut the Pandas lead back to a single try.
 
Responding to the Dinos score, the Pandas marched back down the field with Julia Goss touching the ball down in the left corner of the end zone.
Fittes scored her second of the game in injury time to seal the championship for the Pandas.