Queen's Women's Rugby opened the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship at Nixon Field with a win. 

The Gaels, playing in the final quarterfinal of the opening day of the tournament Wednesday, defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 33-26. With the win, Queen's advanced to the U SPORTS Women's Rugby semifinals, where they will take on the Laval Rouge et Or, who defeated the Acadia Axewomen earlier in the day.

Queen's jumped out to an early lead with tries by Maddy Kushner (Ottawa, Ont.), and Hannah Daniels (Sutton West, Ont.), which were both converted by Sophie de Goede (Victoria, Ont.).

After UBC cut the Gaels' lead in half, de Goede scored and converted Queen's third try of the game.

UBC would respond again before Jaden Walker (Oakville, Ont.) added a try late in the first half to give Queen's a 26-14 lead at half time.

The Thunderbirds would score the first two tries of the second half to even the score before Bridget Peros (Oakville, Ont.) scored late, and de Goede converted, to give the Gaels the seven-point win.

Queen's will take on the Rouge et Or on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Nixon Field, with a spot in the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship final on the line.