RUG | Herrera powers Alberta
Career-high three tries leads Pandas to big win
The Alberta Pandas made a statement on the opening weekend of the Canada West Rugby 15s season, recording a convincing 54-5 win over the rival Calgary Dinos.
Leading the charge was second-year centre Bea Herrera, who has been named the Canada West Rugby Player of the Week after an eye-popping performance.
The hometown Edmonton product recorded a career-high three tries, two of which came off long runs in the second half.
Herrera first got on the scoresheet with a try in the 27th minute, giving the Pandas a commanding 26-0 lead. The rout was on from there, with Herrera adding two second-half tries within an impressive three-minute span to put the game out of reach.
With another year of experience under their belts, Herrera and her teammates will be hungry for redemption this season after being ranked fifth in the pre-season coaches poll, two spots behind Calgary. The Pandas will now enjoy a bye week, then head on the road for games at UBC on Sept. 14 and Victoria on Sept. 17.