CALGARY – A goal line stand in the game's final minutes gave the Lethbridge Pronghorns a 36-29 win over the University of Calgary Dinos women's rugby team in the Canada West bronze medal game Sunday afternoon from McMahon Stadium.

In a back-and-forth battle that featured four lead changes, Lethbridge was able to control the ball in the second half to create separation before just holding off the Dinos' final surge to secure the win.

"I was super happy; they showed up today and played with heart. They slipped up for about 10 minutes but came back, putting us in a position to take it back," explained Calgary head coach Simon Chi. "In terms of a young group, they have to learn how to win, and sometimes you need to have these gut-wrenching losses and go through a couple of them to get over the hump – it is all part of the learning process."

Lethbridge got the scoring started in the 13th minute when Emily Stewart pushed the ball over the line from close for the early 5-0 lead.

Calgary responded immediately. Following a pair of bruising runs from Rebecca Kochuk and Natalia Velazquez took the ball down to the goal line, Maria Florez punched it in. Allysen Stachiw's convert gave the Dinos a 7-5 lead in the 16th minute.

Charli Helland put the 'Horns back on top with a try in the 28th, before the Dinos responded with a penalty goal from Stachiw and an 80-yard sprint down the sidelines by Melody Kivia to put the Scarlet & Gold ahead 17-12 at halftime.

Out of the break, the Pronghorns were able to keep the ball in their attacking end for the majority of the time, leading to four of the next five scores. Stewart and Millie Teskey gave Lethbridge the 22-17 lead in the 52nd. Macie Kitt tied things back in with a try in the 58th, but Stewart added her third of the day in the 61st and Helland scored her second of the day in the 69th.

Bomi Lawal kept things close for Calgary with an 80-yard run of her own to close the score to 36-29 in the 75th. The Dinos got the ball down deep in the closing minutes, but a goal line stand by the 'Horns secured the victory and the bronze medal.

"It is always the goal to play your best at the end. I would have liked to have seen them get the result for their work, but they can see it. It is all stuff to build off and a starting point for all the young players," said Chi.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, second-year prop Willow Beyea was named both the recipient of the Canada West Community Service Award, as well as a conference all-star.

SCORING SUMMARY

            1    2    F
LET    12    24    36
CGY    17    12    29    

First Half
13' – Emily Stewart try (convert unsuccessful) – 5-0 LET
16' – Maria Florez try (Allysen Stachiw convert) – 7-5 CGY
28' – Charli Helland try (Tory Clements convert) – 12-7 LET
37' – Allysen Stachiw penalty goal – 12-10 LET
39' – Melody Kivia try (Allysen Stachiw convert) – 17-12 CGY

Second Half
48' – Emily Stewart try (convert unsuccessful) – 17-17
52' – Millie Teskey try (convert unsuccessful) – 22-17 LET
58' – Macie Kitt try (convert unsuccessful) – 22-22 
61' - Emily Stewart try (Tory Clements convert) – 29-22 LET
69' – Charli Helland try (Tory Clements convert) – 36-22 LET
75' – Bomi Lawal try (Allysen Stachiw convert) – 36-29 LET


2024 CANADA WEST ALL-STARS
Prop / Willow Beyea / Calgary
Prop / Kiki Idowu / UBC
Hooker / Jordan McLeod / UBC 
Lock / Teya Ashworth / UBC
Lock / Mackenzie Hutten / Lethbridge
Back Row / Rachel Smith / UBC
Back Row / Charli Helland / Lethbridge
Back Row / Emily Findlay / Victoria
Scrum Half / Steph Hovdestad / Alberta
Fly Half / Savannah Bauder / UBC
Center / Summer Blackmore / Victoria
Center / Maria Sawiak / Alberta
Back Three / Adia Pye / UBC
Back Three / Carissa Norsten / Victoria
Back Three / Maya Addai / Victoria

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player – Rachel Smith – UBC
Rookie of the Year – Mya Koleba – UBC
Community Service Award – Willow Beyea – Calgary
Coach of the Year – Graeme Moffat – Lethbridge

-UC-