WATERLOO, Ont. (August 28, 2016) - The Queen's Gaels (0-1) saw victory snatched away late by the Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0)  in a 37-18 loss after turnovers proved costly in the final minutes. Phoenix Grouse (Dartmouth, N.S.) led the way for the Gaels picking up a pair of sacks and an interception on a big day for the defence in front of 1,144 fans in Waterloo.
 

The Gaels got off to a strong start thanks to a big return from Jonah Pataki (Wallaceburg, Ont.) who followed that up with a pair of good rushes for the Gaels offensively. As Queen's approached mid-field Nate Hobbs (Mississauga, Ont.) was intercepted by Ron Kinga who set the Laurier offence up well into the Gaels end.
 

On a pass by Julien John into the back of the endzone, Jake Firlotte (Abbotsford, B.C.) got a hand on the ball, and Wesley Mann (Almonte, Ont.) made an acrobatic play to haul in the interception.
 

The Golden Hawks kicker Nathan Mesher put the first points on the board shortly after as he hit a pair of field goals. The first was a 49-yard shot, his new personal best, followed soon after by a 40-yard attempt that also found its way through the uprights. Laurier held the edge early 6-0.
 

With the Gaels offence unable to get much momentum early it was once again the defence coming through with big plays. Connor Gascoigne (Halifax) picked up his first career CIS interception deep into Queen's territory. The Gaels were forced to concede a safety making it 8-0 for the Golden Hawks.
 

In the second quarter, the Chris Osei-Kusi (Brampton, Ont.) show took over. Hauling in a total of 47-yards on four receptions and setting up an easy 2-yard touchdown run for Pataki giving the Gaels their first points of the afternoon.
 

The Queen's defensive unit continued to impress as well, this time, the defensive line. Phoenix Grouse (Dartmouth, N.S.) stuffed a rush for no gain and followed that up with a sack on John for a significant loss.
 

That set up the Gaels with a 39-yard field goal attempt that Liberatore missed left but the Gaels added a single point making it 8-8.
 

A long punt from Mesher in the final minute of the quarter resulted in a single for Laurier, and the score was 9-8 for the Golden Hawks at the half.
 

The defence picked up where they left off as Grouse stayed hot for Queen's picking up another sack, forcing a Laurier punt. A few possessions later it was Luke McQuilkin (Burlington, Ont.) making his mark jumping on a fumbled ball by Laurier to stop any scoring threat.
 

The offence turned the Golden Hawk mistake into points as Hobbs hit Matteo Del Brocco (Kingsville, Ont.) in the corner of the endzone and the talented receiver made an over the shoulder catch to put the Gaels out front 15-9.
 

The trouble continued for Laurier quarterback John as Mann nabbed his second interception of the day.
 

Laurier was quick to respond after getting the ball back, and Kurleigh Gittens made it 16-15 for Laurier.
 

The Gaels regained the lead in the fourth as Liberatore nailed his first career CIS field goal, a 31-yarder making it 18-16 Gaels.
 

After showing his ability to get to the quarterback earlier in the game, Grouse blocked a John pass and grabbed onto it for an interception.
 

The Golden Hawks defence took over late in the game as Godfrey Onyeka picked off a Hobbs pass and took it all the way for a touchdown. The Gaels fumbled on the resulting kickoff, and Laurier struck again as John hooked up with Mario Villamizar to make it 30-18 Laurier.
 

The Golden Hawks tacked on another to make the final 37-18.
 

47 - Yards receiving on the Gaels first touchdown drive for Osei-Kusi

4 - Interceptions by the Gaels in the game

9 - Sacks by the Golden Hawks

6 - Pick six for Onyeka to put the Golden Hawks ahead late

8 - Different rushers for Laurier on the day
 

"We had a few turnovers late that really took the wind out of us," said head coach Pat Sheahan after the game. "There were a lot of lessons learned today on a lot of levels. We just need to have a little bit more of a better attitude on how to finish it and the team has to learn that."
 

Week 2 has the Gaels on Bye; they return to action on September 10 when they travel to Guelph to take on the Gryphons.  Queen's will then host the Western Mustangs to open the new revitalized Richardson Stadium on September 17 at 1pm against Western on City. For tickets visit www.richardsonstadium.com