HAMILTON (October 13, 2017) - The No.8 Queen's Gaels pulled off the road upset over the No.7 McMaster Marauders 20-15 to advance to the OUA Championship next weekend. With the victory, the Gaels have also assured a spot at this year's National Championship hosted by the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels and Marauders met once in the OUA regular season with Queen's losing a close tilt at home 21-15. The two nationally ranked programs went at it again, this time in the OUA semifinal with a trip to the OUA final and a berth in the U SPORTS national championship on the line.

Queen's was able to get the jump on the Marauders quickly as strong tackling lead to a Pippi McKay (Toronto) try giving Queen's an early 5-0 lead. After McMaster was able to respond with a try of their own, Queen's rookie sensation and two-time OUA athlete of the week Sophie de Goede (Victoria) broke through for another try after Erin Geddes (Lindsay, Ont.) was able to get the ball forward before dishing off to de Goede.

The Gaels put a 10 point margin between themselves and the Marauders as 2016 U SPORTS All-Canadian Nadia Popov (Newmarket, Ont.) finished off a long sprint for a try giving Queen's a 15-5 lead at the half.

The home side came out strong in the second half as they were able to get themselves within five after a try in the 45th. Popov broke through for her second try of the night and the Gaels once again were up 10.

McMaster added another try but the Gaels hung on to take a 20-15 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS
2 - Tries for Popov
0 - Conversions from either side
1st - Trip to the national championship for Queen's since they won silver as hosts in 2015
2013 - The Gaels only OUA Championship season

UP NEXT
Queen's will take on the winner of York and Guelph for the OUA Championship next weekend.