KINGSTON, Ont - The Gaels entered 2012 with a target on their backs after winning their second consecutive National Championship title, but struggled out of the gate, winning only three of their first six games last season.
Despite a shaky start, the Gaels found their form midseason and finished the year with an impressive 11-2-3 record—good enough for second place in the OUA East. The first-place Ottawa Gee-Gees and third-place University of Toronto Varsity Blues were the only teams the Gaels couldn't beat during the regular season. But the Gaels bested U of T when it mattered most, advancing to the OUA Final Four after a 3-1 overtime win in the quarterf-inal.
After losing their semifinal in penalty kicks to the Laurier Goldenhawks, the Gaels wound up with OUA bronze medals after another bout of penalty kicks against the McMaster Marauders, and qualified for the National Championships. Topping Ottawa 4-1 en route to the title match, the Gaels fell just short of their third straight National Championship, ending the year with CIS silver medals after losing to the Trinity Western Spartans in penalty kicks.
With a veteran core returning in 2013, the Gaels' leaders have tasted victory and know what it takes to be successful at the OUA and CIS levels. Centering around midfielders Riley Filion and Alexis McKinty, the Gaels will look to defender Jessie De Boer to lead the backline, with strikers Breanna Burton and Brittany Almeida tasked with filling the net this year. Head coach Dave McDowell has a lot of talent once again on his roster and it's only a matter of time before this group begins to gel.
Key returning players
D – Jessie De Boer: anchoring the backline for the Gaels, the versatile defender has an offensive edge, scoring seven goals in her two years at Queen's.
MF – Riley Filion: the returning captain was named the top female athlete at Queen's for her four years with the Gaels, and she's back to lead her team to more glory in her final year.
MF – Alexis McKinty: the veteran midfielder proves her worth when it matters, scoring two goals in the 2012 postseason and providing stability in the middle of the park.
S – Breanna Burton: good for 10 goals in her second year, the talented striker has a nose for the net, and should be able to increase her production in 2013.
S – Brittany Almeida: a standout in her first year with the Gaels, the young striker found the back of the net 10 times in 2012, and has room to improve that number this year.
Key players lost
S – Jackie Tessier: although the Gaels' all time leading scorer has opted not to play in this season, she has one year of eligibility remaining.
