Horns ringette seeing many positive signs ahead of new season

By Lethbridge Herald on October 11, 2024.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns ringette team has reasons to be optimistic with the positive signs they’re already seeing ahead of a new season.

The Horns were encouraged by the turnout to tryouts, so much so that head coach Sue Stevenson had the tough task of picking this season’s team with the talent on display.

“It was the most amount of players that came out to our try-outs that we’ve ever had,”said Stevenson.

“So it was nice to have some options when creating this team.  So it was  fantastic and all the girls just, I think, had a really good time and a really good try-out.”

The Horns, as a result, added four new players to the fold and a player that returned from a hiatus on top of many returnees

U of L had three goalies try out too.

By making  a name for themselves in positive way at the University Challenge Cup is what Stevenson believed to have attracted great numbers to try-outs.

“I think that the word and the name is out there now in Alberta and it’s fantastic to see,” said Stevenson.

The Horns have been preparing for the season through two practices  and two dryland sessions a week.

“So they’re definitely working hard in terms of their cardio,” said Stevenson.

The recent exhibition game against the University of Calgary gave the Horns a starting point in terms of what they need to work on.

“And lets us know some of the areas that we need to focus on over the next few weeks before we start our league,” said Stevenson.

Stevenson sees the team strength being speed and having some good shooters.

“The athletes, this year, seem to have just a good basis, a good knowledge and a higher ringette IQ,” said Stevenson.

“Overall, the whole team, at this point looks much better than (where) we started last year. It’s a really positive thing.”

The Horns are continuously trying to get their name out  there by meeting with U19 Alberta  teams to let them know how U of L operates and their philosophies and through their strong play in the university ranks.

“There are players all over Canada that are fully aware of what’s going on and if they can see some success with other universities, that just motivates them to want (to) create a team as well,” said Stevenson.

U of L kick off their season on Oct. 20.

The Horns are hosting the UCC in December.