Waterloo, Ont. (October 26, 2008) – For the fourth consecutive season, the Queen's Gaels took the silver medal losing to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 12-5 in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) lacrosse championship on Sunday afternoon.
The Gaels have met Laurier in the OUA Championship game every season since 2005 and finished runner-up to the now six-time champion Golden Hawks.
Martha Ross of Newton, Mass was the leading scorer for the Gaels as she netted two goals and assisted on one. Yesterday, Ross led the Gaels to the championship game by netting five goals and an assist in a semi-final victory over Western.
Queen's opened up scoring early in the contest as Ross put one by Golden Hawk backstop Hanna Burnett (Whitby, Ont.). Braedyn O'Rahilly (Whitby, Ont.) responded minutes later and the scoring went back and forth until the 21:23 minute mark into the first when Laurier would take over the lead at 5-4.
O'Rahilly and Amy Fincham (Whitby, Ont.) scored a combined six goals in the first half of the game that saw the teams break with the Golden Hawks up 8-4.
Burnett had a strong game in net for the Golden Hawks blocking several shots from key Gaels players including 2008 OUA Most Valuable Offensive Player Lisa McLaughlin (Whitby, Ont.).
McLaughlin and Carley Miller (Brampton, Ont.) scored the balance of the Gael goals in the first half while Gwyn Ross (Newton, Mass.) scored the only one in the second.
Heather McHardy (Whitby, Ont.) picked up four points in a goal and three assists, the same as Gerrie. Laura Juha (Mississauga, Ont.), Kristen Sarson (Bedford, Mass.Emma Pink (Orangeville, Ont.) scored the balance of Laurier's goals. ) and
On Saturday, Laurier defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues 13-5 while Queen's downed the Western Mustangs 12-5 in the OUA semi-finals. Toronto defeated Western 12-6 for the OUA bronze medal. Jen Held (Brampton, Ont.) scored five goals in the victory.
The Gaels finished the regular season with a total of 18 points and a record of 9-3. Queen's was second to Laurier who finished with 24 points. Two of Queen's three losses this year came at the hands of Laurier.
