PETERBOROUGH, Ont. (November 4, 2010) – The three-time defending champion Lethbridge Pronghorns (1-0) survived an early scare as the Queen's Gaels (0-1) nearly pulled off a huge upset at the CIS Women's Rugby Championship. The Gaels lost 15-12 in overtime on a penalty goal.

Lethbridge's only lead of the game came on the final penalty goal as the Gaels held 7-0 and 12-7 leads throughout the game.

Laura Murphy-Burke of Surrey, B.C., recorded 10 points for the Pronghorns including the game winning penalty goal in overtime.

Queen's held the early advantage with Andrea Wadsworth of Toronto scoring in the sixth minute of the first half. Annika Rinas of Oakville, Ont., added the conversion to give Queen's the early 7-0 lead. Lethbridge responded in the 12th minute when Murphy-Burke scored her try and conversion

Gaels' Karlye Wong of Ottawa scored a try at the 39th minute in the second half. Twenty minutes later Brittany Orr of Fort Macleod, Alta., tied the game at 12 sending the game to overtime before Murphy-Burke kicked a penalty goal in the 79th minute.

Heading into play Lethbridge was the No. 1 nationally ranked team while the Gaels were the sixth ranked.

“We're thrilled with how hard we played today,” said Head Coach Beth Barz. “We controlled the game and we put ourselves in a position to win. Having said that – it's a tough way to lose – we're physically and emotionally exhausted. We'll get through it – we have the ability.”

Queen's will have little rest as they play Concordia tomorrow morning (Nov. 5) at 11:00am.

The Gaels are playing in their first ever CIS Women's Rugby Championship and came off an impressive 7-1 season claiming the silver medal at the OUA Championship. They finished the regular season a perfect 5-0.