Host UBC stuns top-seeded Vikes to capture second straight national trophy
In a storybook finish for the hosts, the UBC Thunderbirds sank their archrivals from Victoria with a last-second try to capture the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship, presented by The Rec Room Granville, as they scored a 15-13 victory over the Vikes on Sunday at Thunderbird Stadium.
The win gives the Thunderbirds (7-3, 4-1 Canada West) the prestigious Monilex Trophy for the second time in a row, and the second time ever. Victoria (9-1, 5-0 Canada West), for its part, matches its best-ever finish at the national tournament.
Trailing by two points as the clock ticked toward the end of the regulation 70 minutes, the Thunderbirds mounted one final, desperate attack off a nice turnover in the 69th minute. The ball found its way to winger Adia Pye, who bee-lined down the left sideline towards the corner flag and touched down the game-winning try as time expired, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The victory was a monumental upset, as the top-seeded Vikes had defeated UBC in all three of their previous meetings this season, entered the contest with a perfect 9-0 record and were looking to avenge last year’s defeat in the national title game.
UBC’s triumph was spearheaded by tournament MVP Charity Williams, whose relentless defensive pressure and leadership were instrumental throughout the championship. Players of the game were UBC's Kiki Idowu and Victoria's Emily Findlay.
The game was a classic, defensive battle from the start. Victoria’s Olivia Newsome opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the seventh minute for an early 3-0 lead. UBC responded just before halftime, as Olivia Sarabura powered over for a try, converted by Brooke Roddham, to give the Thunderbirds a 7-3 lead at the break.
UBC extended their lead early in the second half with a Roddham penalty goal, making it 10-3. The Vikes, however, stormed back. Ella O’Regan scored two second half tries, the second in the 65th minute, to put Victoria ahead 13-10 and set the stage for the dramatic finale.
The UBC defense held firm in the final minutes, including a key period where they weathered a Victoria attack, to get the ball back and launch the series of phases that led to Pye’s championship-winning score.
The next U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship is set for Nov. 4-8, 2026, in Guelph, Ont.
NIKE TEAM PLAYERS OF THE GAME
UBC: Kiki Idowu
VICTORIA: Emily Findlay
TOURNAMENT ALL-STARS:
- Prop: Kiki Idowu, UBC
- Hooker: Sierra Gillis, Victoria
- Prop: Tattyannah Jackson, Queen’s
- Lock: Teya Ashworth, UBC
- Lock: Sandrine Faucher, Laval
- Flanker: Emily Findlay, Victoria
- Flanker: Lizzie Gibson, Queen’s
- No. 8: Madison Jumeau, Queen’s
- Scrum Half: Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Victoria
- Fly Half: Brooklyn Roddham, UBC
- Left Wing: Tia Jordo, UBC
- Inside Centre: Tausani Levale, Guelph
- Outside Centre: Charity Williams, UBC
- Right Wing: Olivia Newsome, Victoria
- Full Back: Carissa Norsten, Victoria
TOURNAMENT MVP: Charity Williams, UBC
R.W. PUGH FAIR PLAY AWARD: Ottawa Gee-Gees
GAME SUMMARY
FIRST HALF:
7’ VIC Penalty goal Olivia Newsome 0-3
20’ UBC Try Olivia Sarabura (Brooke Roddham conversion) 7-3
Yellow Card: Olivia Newsome VIC (28’)
SECOND HALF:
40’ UBC Penalty goal Brooke Roddham 10-3
48’ VIC Try Ella O’Regan (conversion failed) 10-8
65’ VIC Try Ella O’Regan (conversion failed) 10-13
70’ UBC Try Adia Pye (conversion failed) 15-13
