The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's rugby team fell 48-26 to the Waterloo Warriors in their home opener on Saturday (Sept. 6) afternoon at Varsity Stadium.

A slow start from the Blues saw the Warriors pull ahead early in the match with two tries to get a 12-0 lead. Despite Waterloo's lead, U of T gained some momentum and got themselves back in the game. Fourth-year fly half Sydney Heighington's try got the Blues on the board. Along with her try in the first half, Heighington had three conversions in the match to cap off a strong day for the Ottawa native. 

Late in the half the Blues grabbed their first lead of the afternoon as third-year wing Adele Church stormed her way across the try line to tie the game at 12. Heighington's conversion was successful to give the Blues a 14-12 lead at halftime. 

Waterloo regained the lead with back-to-back tries to begin the second-half. Warriors wing Olivia Larssen scored her second of three tries in the match to give Waterloo the lead. Heavlyn Sekyere added another try for the Warriors putting the Blues down by two scores. The Blues continued to fight back as first-year Bem Marie Paaenas' try cut the Warriors lead to 22-19. The Warriors extended their lead to 29-19 but the Blues were quick to respond as Chioma Duru's 68th minute try, followed by another successful Heighington conversion kept the game within striking distance.

However, as the clock drew closer to the end of the game the Warriors were able to pull away with three straight tries in the final 10 minutes of the match.

The Blues are back in action on Saturday (Sept. 13) afternoon when they travel to Peterborough to take on the Trent Excalibur. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.