With both the Men’s and Women’s rugby teams gearing up for the OUA playoffs, their addition of two road wins against divisional juggernauts should help the Gaels gather momentum as they work through the back half of the regular season.
Men’s Rugby
The Men’s rugby team travelled to Waterloo, Ont. on Sept. 22 to take on the undefeated Warriors. In a nail-biting one-point game, the Gaels narrowly handed the Warriors their first loss of the season, spoiling their perfect record with a 25-24 victory.
With standout Eric Godden, Sci ’25, scoring a try in the first minute, coupled up with a try by Trekker James, ArtSci ’26 at the 19-minute mark, it looked as though it was going to be an effortless victory for the Gaels.
However, the Warriors struck back with two tries of their own, tying the game before the half, the game quickly required much more effort from the Gaels.
The second half of the game showed a similar narrative to its predecessor, with Michael Gyles, Sci ’26, and Matt Caroll, ArtSci ’27, each scoring tries of their own. Missed conversion attempts, however, left the door open for the Warriors to take a 24-22 lead late in the game.
The match was ultimately decided by a penalty kick from Ben Greenstein, ArtSci ’27, in the 74th minute, spoiling the Warriors’ undefeated record on home soil.
The Men’s Rugby team will face off against their long-time rivals, the RMC Paladins, at Nixon Field on Sept. 28. This will be their second last home game before the 2024-25 OUA playoffs.
Women’s Rugby
The Women’s rugby team also faced a tough test, playing the dominant Guelph Gryphons in Guelph, Ont., on Sept. 21.
It’s a truly special event when the Gaels and Gryphons face off, as Head Coach of the Women’s Rugby team, Dan Valley, has previously noted in interviews with The Journal.
“I love getting in the ring with Guelph. I love the relationship that we have with the Gryphon program, and that’s always our barometer through the regular season of where we’re at,” Valley said.
While their matchup against the Gryphons didn’t see the Gaels in as dominant of a light as we’re used to, their 17-point comeback to topple the opposition 31-24 showcased the resilience of this year’s Gaels’ roster.
Within the first 15 minutes of the match, the Gaels trailed 15-0, until Tattyannah Jackson, ArtSci ’25, opened the scoring for the Gaels. While this got the Gaels on the scoreboard for the first time this game, it didn’t stop the Gryphons from responding, taking a commanding 24-7 lead by the end of the first half.
Realizing defeat was creeping up on them, the Gaels found another gear in the second half, refusing to allow a single try against them throughout the rest of the game.
The Gaels’ comeback was initiated by a try from Madison Donnelly, ArtSci ’26, followed by a conversion from Lizzie Gibson, ArtSci ’25, cutting the Gryphon’s lead to 24-14.
In the 62nd minute of the match, Gibson punched home a try of her own, bringing the Gaels within three points alongside another conversion.
Gibson knocked down her fourth conversion of the game after Eva Johnston, Comm ’28, completed the comeback.
With Gibson adding her 16th point of the game on a penalty kick, the Gaels sealed their victory 31-24, taking a commanding lead over the division with just two more games to play in the regular season.
The Gaels’ next game will be against the Western Mustangs on Sept. 27, where they’ll look to spoil the Mustangs’ homecoming game.
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