On Oct. 31, the Guelph Gryphons Women’s rugby team took on the McMaster Marauders in the OUA rugby Championship game. The Gryphon’s, who were ranked first coming into their final game of the season, faced up against the third-ranked Marauders team. The highly anticipated match up between the two teams was fiercely competitive with the pressure to succeed set incredibly high—the winner of the championship game would go on to compete nationally in the CIS championships in Kingston. After defeating the Gryphons in a hard-fought battle this past Saturday, the Marauders secured their spot with a 21-13 win and will be competing in the CIS championships, and ultimately ending the Gryphon’s 2015 season.
For anyone following the Gryphons this season, it was nothing short of magical. The team played at an elite-level, dominating their opponents with precise offensive prowess and surgical defensive coordination, the Gryphons demonstrated their ability to form an effective and cohesive rugby team. Throughout the regular season, the Gryphons were undefeated, winning three home games and two games on away turf. Followed by their impressive victories in the regular season, the Gryphons continued to play well into the playoffs. Along the way, the Gryphons even set an OUA record for most points scored in a game, defeating the Brock Badgers in the first round of the playoffs with a final score of 140-5.
Among the Gryphons success as a team throughout the season, brilliant individual performances also contributed to their consistently stellar play. Fourth-year Gryphons fullback Alexandra King had a sensational season. Leading the OUA with 121 points scored on 10 tries, 34 converts, and a penalty goal, King performed at a high level throughout the entire season. Playing in her fifth-year with the Gryphons, Daria Keane demonstrated her ability to create offensive opportunities and provide the team with 15 successful tries throughout the season, the most of any OUA player in the 2015 regular season.
In addition to King and Keane being the two leading scorers in the OUA, they were also named to the OUA Shiels Division All-Star team along with teammates Brittany Kassil, Devon Stober, and Bronwyn McCrone. The Gryphons team also received a variety of major OUA awards, including Keane being named the Shiels division MVP, fly half Julia Schnell earning the Shiels division Rookie of the year award, and head coach Collette McAuley taking home the Shiels division Coach of the year.
Needless to say, the Gryphons season saw an incredible amount of dedication, effort, and discipline from all members of the team in 2015.