Queen's Women's Rugby are OUA champions once again!

The Gaels defeated the Guelph Gryphons 21-10 Thursday night in Guelph, Ont. to capture their second straight provincial title, and fourth in the last five years.

After the Gryphons defeated the Gaels 22-19 in the regular season, ending Queen's six-plus year undefeated streak in the regular season, the Gaels travelled to Guelph for the Championship game looking to even the score and take the title.

"I couldn't be any prouder of the shift we just put in," said Queen's Women's Rugby Head Coach Dan Valley. "We knew coming in that Guelph was going to be a physical battle and it was going to be an 80-minute endeavor. I'm not sure that our crew has ever defended as bravely as they defended for that 80-minute stretch. It was an excellent game; Guelph are an unbelievable team and an unbelievable program, so pretty proud of our crew to come out they way that we did and then to go the distance and defend our OUA Championship."

After Guelph opened the scoring with a penalty kick, Eva Johnston (Smith School of Business) punched the ball in for a Gaels' try in the 32nd minute to give Queen's a lead they would never give up.

Johnston, who was named Player of the Game, would later increase Queen's lead to 14-3 with a second try of the game, capping a highlight reel run in the try zone.

"It was an awesome win with the girls, coming from losing to Guelph in the regular season, Week 3," said Johnston post-game. "To see the work we put in has been outstanding. We deserved the win tonight. We came here, we had the energy for sure - I think that was the best pre-game energy, pre-game experience we've ever had - and we came out and we just didn't let them do anything really. It was really good, we just held onto the momentum and made the moments matter. Cha Gheill!"

The Gryphons would mount a comeback attempt, cutting the lead to 14-10 in the 66th minute, but Kennedi Stevenson (Arts & Science) would ice the game with a third try for Queen's in the 71st minute.

The Gaels held strong the final 10 minutes of the game to be crowned OUA champions.

Queen's will be back in Guelph next week to compete in the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship.