KINGSTON, Ont. The Queen's Gaels will advance to the OUA championship after a tough game against the Western Mustangs. The semifinal win also send the Gaels to the CIS Women's Rugby Championship for the third time in four years.

Inside center Lauren McEwen (Wasaga Beach, Ont.) led the Gaels with 20 points against the Western Mustangs. McEwen scored three penalty goals, one try and three conversions.

After a slow start to the game the Gaels put the first points on the board with a penalty goal from McEwen, she soon followed this up with her second penalty goal of the game. In the 34^th minute of play the Gaels scored their first try with McEwen running the ball over the line, she kicked a successful conversion following her try, bringing the Gaels to a 13-0 lead at the half.

The Gaels started the second half strong with another penalty goal from McEwan five minutes into the second half. Western quickly gained some momentum, stringing together a set of phases which allowed them to breakt through the Gaels defense and resulting in a try for Meaghann Buitinga (London, Ont.).

In the 60^th minute of play Kayla Roote (Peterborough, Ont.) scored her first try of the game for the Gaels which was followed by a successful conversion by McEwen. Not long after Roote's try, Caitie Ryan (Kamloops, B.C.) scored another try for the Gaels with McEwen kicking the conversion.

The Gaels continued to fight for the win, and played strong defensively trying to keep the Mustangs away from their goal line. However, Western was able to break through the Gaels defense twice in the final minutes of play with their scrum half Lori Josephson (Beaverton, Ont.) scoring two tries to close the game, bringing the final score to 30-15 for the Gaels.

The Gaels will play in the OUA championship next Saturday, more details to follow.