X-Women rugby ranked 1st in nation to open season

X-Women rugby ranked 1st in nation to open season
September 4, 2012

CIS TOP TEN TUESDAY (#1)
National champs open at No. 1 in soccer, StFX tops first rugby ranking

OTTAWA (CIS) – Reigning national champion Queen’s (women) and Victoria (men) top the inaugural CIS soccer rankings of the 2012 season, while St. Francis Xavier edges defending titlist Guelph in the first women’s rugby Top 10 of the campaign.   

Queen’s and StFX both open at No. 1 for the second straight year, while Victoria starts in first place for the first time since 1997.

In women’s soccer, the Gaels received 39 points in the coaches’ poll for a slim two-point advantage over the Montreal Carabins, the team they on penalty kicks in last year’s CIS final to capture their second straight Gladys Bean Memorial Trophy. Ottawa (27 points), Trinity Western (25) and Alberta (24) follow in order in the inaugural ranking.

After going 1-1-1 in pre-season action, Queen’s kicked off conference play on Saturday with a convincing 6-0 victory over cross-town rival RMC. The Gaels will be busy in Week 2 with three games in five days, starting on Wednesday with a big test at home against No. 3 Ottawa.

In men’s soccer, the Vikes are ranked ahead of Saint Mary’s, Cape Breton, Alberta and McGill. Victoria defeated Saint Mary’s 3-1 in the 2011 CIS championship final.

The Vikes outscored Canada West newcomer UNBC 4-3 in their lone pre-season test against CIS competition and open the defence of their national title with a home doubleheader against the Timberwolves, on Friday and Saturday.

In women’s rugby, three teams received first-place votes from the coaches’ panel including the top-ranked X-Women (7), who earned a total of 138 points, as well as Guelph (5) and Lethbridge (2), which merited 116 and 110 points, respectively. Laval (89) and Queen’s (87) open at No. 4 and No. 5. 

StFX, which claimed CIS silver last year after losing 28-0 to Guelph in the national final, went a perfect 5-0 this fall in exhibition play, including a 4-0 record against CIS opponents. Two of those pre-season wins came in convincing fashion against No. 7 Concordia, 56-5 and 55-14. The X-Women kick off league play at Saint Mary’s on Sunday.

The reigning champion Gryphons, who maintained a 1-1 pre-season mark, should be tested in their OUA opener on Wednesday when they host No. 6 McMaster. They also host Laurier on Sunday.

WOMEN’S RUGBY
(regular season record) / votes (first-place votes) / (previous rankings)

1. StFX (0-0) / 138 points (7) / (-)
2. Guelph (0-0) / 116 (5) / (-)
3. Lethbridge (0-0) / 110 (2) / (-)
4. Laval (1-0) / 89 / (-)
5. Queen’s (0-0) / 87 / (-)
6. McMaster (0-0) / 73 / (-)
7. Concordia (0-0) / 62 / (-)
8. Alberta (0-0) / 33 / (-)
9. McGill (0-0) / 30 / (-)
10. Calgary (0-0) / 18 / (-)

Other teams receiving votes: Brock (8), Acadia (6), Waterloo (5), Western (5), UPEI (3), Ottawa (1).

WOMEN’S SOCCER
(regular season record) / votes / (previous rankings)

1. Queen’s (1-0-0) / 39 points / (-)
2. Montreal (0-0-0) / 37 / (-)
3. Ottawa (2-0-0) / 27 / (-)
4. Trinity Western (0-0-0) / 25 / (-)
5. Alberta (0-0-0) / 24 / (-)
6. McGill (0-0-0) / 21 / (-)
7. Wilfrid Laurier (1-0-1) / 19 / (-)
8. UBC (0-0-0) / 10 / (-)
T9. Dalhousie (0-0-0) / 6 / (-)
T9. UPEI (0-0-0) / 6 / (-)

Other teams receiving votes: Victoria (3), Sherbrooke (1).

MEN’S SOCCER
(regular season record) / (previous rankings)

1. Victoria (0-0-0) / (-)
2. Saint Mary’s (0-0-0) / (-)
3. Cape Breton (0-0-0) (-)
4. Alberta (0-0-0) / (-)
5. McGill (0-0-0) / (-)
6. McMaster (0-0-0) / (-)
7. Montreal (0-0-0) / (-)
8. Toronto (0-1-0) / (-)
9. York (2-0-0) / (-)
T10. UBC (0-0-0) / (-)
T10. Carleton (2-0-0) / (-)

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