Saturday will be an unfamiliar stage for the Simon Fraser University women’s rugby team.
The first-place SFU club side take on the Mudhens from Seattle in the first division Anna Schnell Cup championship at John Oliver Park on Saturday.
SFU last tasted victory in a championship final three seasons ago, when the Clan fashioned a 6-0 record en route to a Tier 2 title.
Since earning promotion to the premiership, SFU has steadily improved its product to the point of qualifying for the playoffs last year before being eliminated in the semifinals.
“The season has been very successful for us,” said SFU team captain Christina Burnham in a B.C. Rugby press release. “It’s not just that we have gone undefeated this half, but we have made great strides as a team in several areas of our game. We have a very committed group of girls that push each other to improve their skills, fitness and work ethic each week.”
SFU leads the league in both offence and defence, piling up almost 400 points in just seven games, while allowing less than nine per outing.
The Clan showed its prowess with an earlier 71-17 victory over the Mudhens in league play. Since then the Seattle club has rattled off five consecutive wins, including a 77-10 win over defending champion Bayside in the semifinals last weekend.
A key player to watch on the Mudhens is Ashley Kiniecik, who has scored 12 tries in just four games this season.
“We know their forward pack is strong in set pieces and at contact points, and we expect them to challenge us tight during open play,” Burnham said. “They also have a lot of
pace outside that we’ll need to pressure and shut down early.”
SFU boasts B.C. senior provincial rep Jessica Firman, fullback Megan Banford and Amanda Foster.
The Clan and the Mudhens tangle in the Tier 1 final at 2:30 p.m.
Burnaby Lake takes on Capilano in the Bowl final at John Oliver Park at 10:30 a.m.
