Gaels power into OUA women's rugby final

Gaels power into OUA women's rugby final

By Communications Staff

October 15, 2018

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Queen's Gaels women's rugby
The Queen's Gaels control a lineout during Saturday's OUA women's rugby semifinal against the McMaster Marauders at Nixon Field. The Gaels won 29-24. (Photo by Robin Kasem)

A quick roundup of Queen's Gaels teams and athletes in action over the weekend:

WOMEN’S RUGBY

The No. 6 Queen’s Gaels women’s rugby team picked up a 29-24 victory over the No. 9 McMaster Marauders in the OUA semifinal at Nixon Field Saturday, securing a berth into the OUA Championship.

The win meant that the Gaels will square off with the No. 3 Guelph Gryphons for the OUA title for the second straight year. Last season, the Gryphons defeated the Gaels 43-17 in Guelph, where this year's championship game will be held.

With the win the Gaels secured a berth in the U Sports National Championship which will be hosted by Acadia.

The Gaels opened the scoring in the eighth minute as Camille Irvine found some space along the right edge of the field for the try. Nadia Popov then kicked the conversion to put the Gaels up 7-0.

However, it didn't take McMaster long to respond as they tied the scores just two minutes later.

This is where Popov took control as she carried the Gaels into a 17-7 halftime advantage with two tries.

As the second half got underway, the Marauders got a quick try to move within a single score, narrowing the gap to 17-12.

However, a highlight play from the Gaels’ Sophie de Goede put the Gaels ahead 22-12 mid-way through the second half.

After McMaster trimmed the Gaels' lead to 22-17, Pippi McKay won a ball from the ruck and dove into the end zone in the 75th minute. Popov's conversion was good as the Gaels took a 29-17 lead.

McMaster scored a late try and conversion but it was too little too late as the final whistle blew shortly after.

MEN’S RUGBY

The Queen’s Gaels men’s rugby team (7-0) remained undefeated with a 60-15 blowout win over the Western Mustangs (2-5) in London. With the win the Gaels clinch the top seed in the OUA and home-field advantage throughout the OUA playoffs.

On Saturday, The Gaels jumped out to a quick 15-0 lead on three consecutive trys.

However, the Mustangs were able to cut into the deficit with a try and conversion to make the score 15-7. But from that point on the Gaels had full control.

They would tack on two more tries and one conversion to take a 27-10 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Gaels conceded just a single try as they continued to put points on the board. They outscored the Mustangs 33-5 in the second half to secure the win.

The Gaels return home for their final regular season game as they host the McMaster Marauders (4-3) on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 3 pm.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

The Queen’s Gaels women’s hockey team (1-0-0-0) defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs (0-0-1-0) 4-2 in their OUA opener on Friday night at the Memorial Centre.

The Gaels got off to a hot start as Taylor Hicks opened the scoring only moments into the game. Queen's stretched the advantage to 3-0 in the first with goals from Caroline DeBruin and Kaylie Dennis. IN the second Hailey Wilson scored five minute in to make it 4-0.

Laurentian responded late in the period and added a second goal in the third.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The No. 6 Queen’s Gaels men’s hockey team (2-0-0) defeated the RMC Paladins (1-1-0) 4 -0 in the Gaels home opener Wednesday night.

In a high-energy game with plenty of physical play between the crosstown rivals Caleb Warren opened the scoring 1:36 into the second period. The Gaels added to the advantage minute later through Patrick Sanvido. In the third the Gaels got goals from Liam Dunda and Eric Margo while rookie goalie Jack Flinn picked up the shutout and his first OUA win.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Queen's women’s soccer team (8-2-4) finished the annual northern swing with a pair of draws: 0-0 with the Nipissing Lakers (7-3-4) on Sunday, and 1-1 against the Laurentian Voyageurs (3-6-4) on Saturday.

The team’s lone goals was scored by Jenny Wolever, who now leads the OUA with 14.

Goalkeeper Anna Stephenson recorded the shutout against Nipissing.

MEN’S SOCCER

The Queen's Gaels men's soccer team (8-5-1) swept their northern road trip with a pair of 1-0 wins over the Nipissing Lakers (6-7-1) and Laurentian Voyageurs (4-8-1).

The wins give the Gaels some breathing room heading into the final weekend of the season, with a six-point lead over the Lakers with two games left

On Saturday, Kyle Owens netted the winning penalty in the second half against the Lakers.

A day earlier, Junior Kwame Addai scored his third of the season in the 85th minute against the Voyageurs.