Men’s Football — Angus Merry, Senior Sports Editor
If you’ve kept up with this year’s football team in any capacity, you know this season has been the best in, well — let’s just say that it’s been a while.
Head coach Steve Snyder’s initial promise to turn the Gaels’ football program around upon his hiring almost three years ago has seemingly taken shape this fall, as him and the team posted their first undefeated season (6-0) since 2008.
Like I said — it’s been a while.
For further reference, throughout the last six seasons, the Gaels have failed to qualify for the OUA playoffs four times. In the two seasons they did qualify, they were knocked out of the OUA quarterfinals both years—not even sniffing a chance at the Yates cup.
This year, things are different. Really different.
Ranked first in the OUA East and third in the country, Snyder and the Gaels have been unstoppable from the jump, scoring an average of 28.6 points per game while only allowing an average of 7.3 points per game.
Did I also mention they’re the only team in the country that hasn’t lost a single time throughout 6 games?
Although they sit behind only Western in total points scored throughout the season (172), they boast the fewest number of total points allowed in the OUA (44) with only three touchdowns scored on them this year—nodding to the unstoppable force that is the Gaels defence.
And what a defence it is. Queen’s ranks second overall in the OUA for total sacks (17), rushing yards allowed (520), as well as average yardage given per game (289.3). Anthony Federico, one of the best Defensive Lineman in the OUA—and the shining star on an already stacked squad—is first in the province in sacks (7), average sacks per game (1.17), yards gained from sacks (62), tackles for loss of yardage (10.5) and yards gained from tackles (69).
But it’s not just their defence that’s made the Gaels winners this year. James Keenan, their starting quarterback, has asserted his place as one of the foremost offensive leaders in the OUA too. In a field that has been anything but uncompetitive, he ranks third in passing touchdowns (6), fourth in completions (87), fourth in passing yards (1099), and fourth in efficiency rating (137.5).
And, of course, the Gaels have none other than Rasheed Tucker—one of the top offensive pieces in the country, bar none. The Gaels star running back is second in the OUA for touchdowns (8), rushing yards (697), rushing yards per game (116.2), and points per game (8.0).
For the last decade, this university’s historic greatness on the gridiron has been gone, and in many ways, forgotten.
But not this year.
This year, the Gaels have stormed back from what seemed like an eternity of heartbreak, sadness, and frustration. They’ve taken nothing for granted, stayed humble, and earned every single one of their six victories through grit, hard work, and determination.
Above all else, they’ve shown us that Queen’s football is still something worth believing in.
Now I ask you: has any other team done that lately?
Women’s Rugby — Natara Ng, Assistant Sports Editor
If there is any team deserving of the fall sports team title, it’s Queen’s women’s rugby.
The team finished their 2021-22 campaign with a first-place finish in the OUA Shiels Division and are currently ranked No. 2 in the U Sports Top 10 rankings.
Dominating the provincial and national level rankings makes sense for a team that finished the regular season undefeated.
While a 4-0 record speaks for itself, what’s particularly impressive is that they capped big wins over Guelph and McMaster—two teams also nationally ranked in the Top 10.
Women’s rugby is among several Queen’s sports teams who finished their seasons undefeated this fall—but they didn’t just win all their games.
They dominated the scoreboard on every occasion.
Posting 221 points and only conceding 27 points over four games, this team clearly found tremendous success on both offense and defense. They held Brock scoreless in their season opener, and in their game against Guelph, conceded only three points, the likes of which came from a penalty kick.
The depth and range of talent of this team gleams through stellar performances from veteran players and rookies alike.
Fifth-year Sophie de Goede ranks second in the OUA for total points and leads the league in conversions. Third-years Carmen Izyk and Jaden Walker are both ranked tenth, while rookie Chloe Daniels is fifteenth.
The team’s greatness is backed by a rich, jaunty history of women’s rugby at Queen’s. It began as an unofficial sport in 1991 with a team consisting mainly of beginners and student coaches.
The movement was led by Queen’s student Barb Relton, who’s Golden Rule, according to a quote from a 1991 Journal article, was “hit them early, and hit them hard.”
20 years later, the rugby team isn’t only living up to this proclamation—they’re adding +their own chapter to the storied history.
But being the best team isn’t just about winning games—it’s also about what the team does off the field. The women’s rugby team has set a high standard for being role models in the community.
For example, members of the team are currently playing a big role in heading the Strong Girls United chapter at Queen’s—a program that empowers and inspires girls to be the best versions of themselves through sports and leadership programming.
Women’s rugby will continue their story at both the OUA playoffs and U Sports Championship in the coming weeks. Clearly, their spots in these tournaments have been well-earned.
Queen’s women’s rugby is in a league of their own. They’ve risen above their station and undoubtedly established themselves as the most dominant sports team at Queen’s this fall.
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