LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – A furious second-half comeback effort by the Calgary Dinos women's rugby team just ran out of time in a 22-19 loss to the Lethbridge Pronghorns Saturday evening from the UofL Community Stadium.

The 'Horns got three first-half tries to take a 17-0 lead at the break, only to see the Dinos roar back with three tries of their own. In a finish that proved reminiscent of last year's Canada West Bronze Medal Game, the Dinos worked the ball down to the goal line in the game's closing moments, but the Lethbridge defence held strong to preserve the win.

It was a relatively even first half, with Lethbridge making just enough of their opportunities with short-yarding tries from Charli Helland, Seq-hiya Simmons and Jorja Salmon. Kayleigh Noel added one convert to give the home squad a 17-0 lead after 40 minutes.

In the second, it was clear the Dinos were motivated. Kenzie McEachern-Shields finished off a nice possession from the Scarlet & Gold just four minutes after intermission with her second try of the year to make it 17-7 after the Allysen Stachiw convert. 

Just eight minutes later, it was Victoria Okeke getting in the scoring column with a push at the goal line to make it 17-12. 

The 'Horns got one back off a nice finish from Millie Teskey, only to see the Dinos continue to show their resilience with a try from rookie Avery Plant in the 79th minute. Stachiw's convert made this a three-point game at 22-19. 

On the ensuing Dinos' possession, Bomi Lawal broke down the left sideline and carried the ball down to just a few yards from the end zone before being tackled. Calgary's offence continued to probe and try to find a way for the winning score, but Lethbridge bowed up and hung on for the win in the thriller.

Calgary is back on the road again next weekend, heading to Edmonton to take on Alberta Saturday at 5 p.m. from Foote Field.

SCORING SUMMARY

            1     2     Final
LET     17   22     22
CGY     0    19     19

First Half
15' LET # 8 Charli Helland (Convert Unsuccessful) 5-0 LET
25' LET #4 Seq'hiya Simmons (Convert Unsuccessful) 10-0 LET
36' LET #2 Jorja Salmon (Convert #10 Kayleigh Noel) 17-0 LET

Second Half
44' CGY #5 Kenzie McEachern-Shields (Convert #10 Allysen Stachiw) 17-7 LET
52' CGY #8 Victoria Okeke (Convert Unsuccessful) 17-12 LET
57' LET #11 Millie Teskey (convert unsuccessful) 22-12 LET
79' CGY #17 Avery Plant (convert #10 Allysen Stachiw) 22-19 LET

-UC-