SAIT Trojans Edge Bobcats in Thrilling 24-22 Championship Win

UPDATE: The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans triumphed in a nail-biting finish, defeating the Brandon University Bobcats 24-22 in the Prairie University Women’s Rugby Conference final held at John Reilly Field this Sunday afternoon. This thrilling victory marks a significant achievement for SAIT, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess.

The Trojans took an early lead and fought tooth and nail to secure their championship title. Just two minutes into the game, SAIT’s Cadence Pirtle scored the first try, putting the Bobcats on the back foot right from the start. With a successful convert by Paige Doherty, the Bobcats quickly found themselves trailing 7-0.

As the first half progressed, Brandon managed to close the gap with a try from Brooke Miner at the 21-minute mark, but SAIT responded robustly. Utilizing the strong south wind, they booted the ball deep into Bobcats territory, leading to a try by Nicole Lu. By the end of the half, the score was 19-5 in favor of the Trojans.

Brandon’s second half began under challenging circumstances as Kateri Mills received a yellow card, leaving the Bobcats temporarily down a player. However, they rallied impressively, with Miner and Shaina Bestwitherick scoring two quick tries, narrowing the gap to 19-17.

“Going into this year, it was a big year, especially with a championship being in Brandon. We really wanted it and knew what we had to do. Even when we were down today, we didn’t give up,” said Bobcats player Raegan Ricard.

The match intensified as the clock ticked down. With just four minutes remaining, Ricard scored again for Brandon, bringing them within two points. However, the conversion attempt was missed, leaving the Trojans clinging to their narrow lead.

SAIT’s Ebe Otoikhine scored a crucial try shortly after, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 24-17. Despite a late push from the Bobcats, including Ricard’s final try, they fell just short of victory.

“We started off our season a little slow but we put in a ton of work, and it was really cool to see it pay off today,” said SAIT head coach Kate Kimbrell.

“This championship game was everything you want; you just want to be on the right end of things,” reflected Brandon head coach Brian Yon.

The game was marked by intense physicality, with both teams battling fiercely for possession and territory. The SAIT athletic therapist was notably busy, tending to multiple players throughout the match.

BU will look to build on this year’s performance after securing bronze in the previous season. “Every year we keep building. Last year we got bronze, this year we got silver. Next year, it will be gold for sure,” Ricard emphasized.

With SAIT now crowned champions, the stage is set for another competitive season ahead. Fans can look forward to the 2024 season as both teams prepare to battle for supremacy once again.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the future of collegiate rugby in Canada.