GUELPH, Ont. (September 2, 2017) - The Queen's Gaels (0-1) women's rugby team opened up their 2017 campaign on the road against the defending OUA champion Guelph Gryphons (1-0), falling 38-31 on a final minute try and conversion from Guelph.

GAME FLOW
Gaels new head coach Dan Valley nearly pulled off an upset in Guelph as the Gaels pushed the Gryphons to the final minute before losing by a single try and conversion. Queen's managed to put up an impressive 31 points against Guelph, 

The two teams traded points throughout the first half with the Gryphons jumping out to an early 5-0 lead before Nadia Popov (Newmarket, Ont.) put down her first of two tries on the day. Julia Schell then scored a try and converted herself as well to lift the Gryphons back out in front 12-7.

Gaels dynamic rookie Sophie de Goede, who also will suit up for the women's basketball team, scored her first U SPORTS try of her career 24 minutes into the match and completed her first successful conversion to even things up at 12-12.

With the Gaels down 31-17 in the second half, McKinley Hunt (King City, Ont.) and Popov each put down tries with successful de Goede conversions to tie things up at 31-31.

In the final minute of play, the home side Gryphons pushed the ball down towards the Gaels try line, and Zana Everett was able to score. Julia Schell nailed the conversion to seal the win for Guelph 38-31.

BY THE NUMBERS
31 - Is the most points Guelph has allowed in an OUA regular season game since Sept 23, 2007 when Western beat them 50-0 at Guelph
16 - Points for rookie Sophie de Goede
2 - Tries for Nadia Popov
3 - Times the score was tied 5-5, 12-12 and 31-31

UP NEXT
The Gaels will return home to take on the Western Mustangs at Nixon Field on Saturday, September 9 at 1 pm. Admission is free for all Gaels rugby games.