In a nail-biting OUA Championship clash at Nixon Field, the Queen's Gaels Women's Rugby team was narrowly defeated by the Guelph Gryphons, 26-24, in the closing moments of the match. The intense matchup saw Queen's valiantly battle back from early deficits, but a last-minute conversion from Guelph sealed the Gryphons' victory, halting the Gaels' bid for a third consecutive OUA title.

Guelph struck first, with tries by Lara Jorgenson and Jillian Bernard-Jardine, jumping to a 12-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes. Queen's responded through consistent standout Siobhan Sheerin (Arts & Science), who powered through Guelph's defense in the 19th minute, with a successful conversion from Lizzie Gibson (Arts & Science) closing the gap to 12-7.

As halftime approached, Sheerin found the try line again, tying the score at 12-12. Gibson's second conversion put Queen's ahead 14-12, showcasing her precision under pressure and fueling the Gaels' hopes heading into the second half.

The Gryphons regained the lead early in the second half with a try and conversion by Natalie Armatage and Tausani Levale, respectively, edging Queen's down 19-14. However, the Gaels' resilience shone through as Maddy Donnelly (Arts & Science) surged over the line in the 70th minute, with Gibson once again proving reliable with her conversion, restoring a 21-19 lead.

With just two minutes remaining, Gibson further extended Queen's lead with a crucial penalty kick, pushing the Gaels ahead 24-19. However, in the final moments, Guelph's Heather Armstrong broke through for a game-tying try, and Levale's successful conversion clinched the Gryphons' victory.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Queen's remains undeterred, with eyes now set firmly on the national stage. Reflecting on their journey in 2021, when they bounced back from an OUA final loss to claim the U SPORTS National Championship, the Gaels are eager to draw from their experience and resilience as they look to make another championship run. This talented squad, led by experienced veterans like Sheerin and Gibson, has shown it has the depth, grit, and cohesion to compete with the best teams in the country.

As Queen's prepares for nationals, the Gaels will carry forward the lessons and determination from this season, ready to challenge for another national title and solidify their status as one of Canada's elite programs.