The Varsity Blues women’s rugby team narrowly fell 12-10 to the Waterloo Warriors on Friday, October 2 in the first rugby game ever played at Varsity Centre.

Toronto’s Lee-Ann Corrigan of Phelpston, Ont., opened the scoring early in the game, breaking through two Waterloo tackles and running 50 yards down the field for the try.

Minutes later, with one U of T player off and an injury on the field, the Warriors took full advantage as Emily Sanderson (New Hamburg, Ont.) made a short run for the try and evened the game at 5-5.

With two minutes remaining in the first half, Abbey Gingerich’s attempted penalty kick hit the uprights and bounced back into play, allowing teammate Sam Eyles of Erin, Ont., to give the Warriors another five points. Spencerville, Ont., native Megan Cowell successfully converted to give the Warriors a 12-5 lead at the half.

The Blues rallied in the early minutes of the second, getting the ball close to the goal line but were unable to push it in.

After a missed penalty kick by Corrigan, Waterloo knocked the ball on, allowing a Toronto scrum deep in Warriors territory. Third-year engineering major Zoriana Workun (Mississauga, Ont.) took full advantage and ran it in to narrow the gap to two.

U of T pushed hard and got as far as the Waterloo 40 in the last minute of the game. In a final attempt to take the lead, Corrigan just missed the penalty goal and Waterloo kicked the ball out of bounds as the final whistle blew.

The Varsity Blues return to action next Friday, October 8 when they travel to Kingston, Ont., to take on the Queen’s Gaels. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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