Gaels capture OUA women’s rugby banner

[��ֱ�� women's rugby team celebrates OUA title] — The ��ֱ�� Gaels women's rugby team celebrates after winning the OUA title on Nixon Field, Friday, Oct. 18. The team now advances to the U-Sports national championship in Ottawa, starting Wednesday, Oct. 30. (Photo by Robin Kasem)

The No. 3 nationally-ranked ��ֱ�� Gaels halted the No. 4 Guelph Gryphons from extending their OUA banner streak with a decisive 46-17 win in the OUA championship from Nixon Field on homecoming weekend at Queen’s University.

The three-time defending champion Guelph Gryphons dropped their first match to the Queen’s Gaels after having won their previous nine contests against their rivals dating back to 2013. That match was a win for Queen’s that gave them their first OUA title in school history. Guelph has won three-straight banners and two consecutive finals over the Gaels heading into Friday night.

The Gaels jumped out to a 12-0 lead with tries by Celia Martensson and Rachel Hickson. After the Gryphons answered with a try of their own Carmen Izyk and Hickson found the endzone for a 24-5 lead at the half

After the break, the Gaels kept the points coming. First, it was McKinley Hunt who dove over the try line for five points in the opening minutes of the second. That was followed up by Sophie de Goede getting her first try of the match and Hunt adding another. Gillian Reason added another try that was bookended by a pair of tries by Guelph.

Both teams now advance to the U-Sports final in Ottawa starting Wednesday, Oct. 30.

To learn more about Queen’s Gaels teams, visit the Queen’s Athletics website at

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