The Gaels took a dominant 116-0 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday evening at Nixon Field for their OUA semifinal game. Queen's had tries coming from 12 different athletes, making up a total of 18 tries scored by the home team. Veteran player Lizzie Gibson (Arts & Science) came through with 13 out of 18 try conversions.
Queen's held a strong presence on the field throughout the game, rarely allowing Laurier any opportunities to break through their defensive line. The home team opened the scoring with a try four minutes in by fourth year Tattyannah Jackson (Arts & Science). Queen's scored a total of eight tries in the first half, while the Golden Hawks were unable to get on the scoreboard. Fifth year Mika Matsukubo (Health Sciences) scored the second Queen's try by flying down the wing with speed, edging out the Laurier defenders. The Gaels tries in the first half came from Jackson, Matsukubo, Gibson, Maia Swemmer (Arts & Science), Rachel Cullum (Arts & Science), Liv Dibua (Arts & Science), and Maddy May (Kinesiology). Gibson put up an impressive 7 out of 8 try conversions in the first 40 minutes, giving Queen's a bold 54-0 lead.
In the second half, the Gaels were relentless on offense, scoring 10 more tries. Gibson was able to convert on six tries for the extra two points. The Gaels demonstrated the depth in their roster, with tries in the second half coming from second years Kennedi Stevenson (Arts & Science) and Eva Johnston (Business), third years Robyn Baker (Arts & Science) and Kyleigh Chandran (Arts & Science), and upper years Kylie Mosgrove (Kinesiology), Gibson, and Cullum. Baker, Chandran, and Stevenson all scored tries by running the ball into the in-goal area from half, shifting and weaving through the Laurier defenders. The Golden Hawks attempted a penalty kick late in the game to try to get a point on the scoreboard, however, they came up just short. The Gaels rarely allowed Laurier to cross half, playing a strong defensive game and ultimately closing the game 116-0.
Queen's advances themselves to the OUA finals on October 24th, where they will match up against the Guelph Gryphons for the 8th consecutive season. The Gaels carry a 7-0 record and have remained undefeated all season and will look to leave it all on the field for the OUA finals.
