The Queen’s Gaels are set to kick off another busy year, with the fall bringing the season openers for Queen’s football, rugby and soccer teams.
Entering the fall with momentum from last year’s strong finishes, each Gaels program carries its own expectations for the months ahead. The head coaches of football, rugby, and soccer discussed their rosters, offseason preparation, and what fans can expect this season.
Queen’s Men’s Football
The Queen’s Men’s Football team is coming off a very strong 2024-25 season that ended in a deep OUA playoff run. Anticipation is high, as the majority of last season’s roster returns this season with experience and hunger for a championship.
READ MORE: Queen’s Football secures spot in OUA semifinals after comeback victory over Windsor Lancers
Men’s Football Head Coach, Steve Snyder, preaches one message to the Queen’s Football community: “Be Ready.” In discussing the team’s motivation entering this season, he explained they “want to build on that momentum,” Snyder said in an interview with The Journal.
It’s a time of high expectations for the program, as there is an immense amount of talent in the locker room who have been working hard in what Coach Snyder calls “football-specific programs” through the offseason. The shift to an on-field approach this year is a result of a philosophy the team is adopting, as they aim to achieve what Coach Snyder calls “feeling the game, even before the camp starts.”
Coach Snyder’s Players to Watch: East-West bowl participants Justin Pace, ArtSci ’27, and Russell Weir, ArtSci ’26, and “due for a breakout season” Mateo Tuioti, ArtSci ’27.
According to Snyder, students can expect Richardson Stadium to be home to a “smart, disciplined, physical team.”
Queen’s Women’s Rugby
Another medal for the Queen’s Women’s Rugby team at the U Sports championships brings excitement and hope for another successful season. Ranked as one of the top rugby programs in U Sports, the team is built on process and the journey towards a U Sports Championship in October.
READ MORE: Women’s Rugby capture Bronze at U SPORTS Championship
Women’s Rugby Head Coach, Dan Valley, reminds his players that preparation and development is the keys to maintaining a high-level performance. The team’s outlook for the 2025 campaign starts on Jan. 6, Valley explained in an interview with The Journal. Valley says the early start allows his team of coaches and players to connect and refine skills and tactics throughout the winter term and into the summer.
“We have more and more of our team stay in town this summer than ever before, which provides the rare opportunity to develop continuity,” Valley said.
According to Valley, the top players to watch during the 2025-26 season are Chloe Daniels, ArtSci ’28, recently returning from an ACL-related injury, and Jiggy Schonfeld, Kin ’27. Schonfeld is “one of the most exciting players in the country,” Valley says.
He says students can expect to see a “high-flying, physical and risk-taking team that is fun to watch.”
Queen’s Men’s Rugby
The Queen’s Men’s Rugby team is coming off a hard-fought silver medal at the U Sports National Championships last season. The experienced group is set to come back without losing a large portion of the silver-medal-achieving team. A full off-season of hard work for a repeat of success is sure to bring an exciting upcoming campaign.
With one of the top programs in the nation, as proven by their winning pedigree, this squad brings an offensive punch to almost every opponent they face. Students can expect a high-scoring, action-packed, yet disciplined team featuring some of the top talents in the OUA. Key players to watch this season include Owen Lee, Comm ’26, and Cameron Bubyn, CompSci ’26, both standouts for their performances last year.
Queen’s Women’s Soccer
The Queen’s Women’s Soccer team came off a promising campaign last season that ended with a high-scoring playoff heartbreak in the OUA Quarterfinal. Head Coach, Dave McDowell, is entering the upcoming season looking to build from last season’s successes.
“We’ve a talented group of veterans who have returned for this season,” McDowell said in an interview with The Journal. “A good chunk of our team stayed in town to train this summer with exceptional engagement.”
The importance of this practice from a team-building and facilitating strategies is strongly emphasized by McDowell as they head into the upcoming season. He also explained that he is excited about the growth of Women’s soccer at the professional level. “It’s great that these female players have a place to continue and develop,” he said.
According to McDowell, the players to watch for the upcoming season are Mattson Strickler, ArtSci 26, Semma Sakran, Kin ’26, Kendra Couto, Sci ’26, Tatiana Kayrouz, Comm ’27.
What should Gaels expect on the pitch according to Coach McDowell: “A dynamic, physical group that is competitive in every moment. We create a lot of offense and are hungry on the ball. “
Queen’s Men’s Soccer
The Queen’s Men’s soccer team is looking to build off a second half that featured a promising, dedicated squad. Head Coach Kasy Kiarash, who took over the position in July 2024, is excited for his first full offseason to evaluate his team.
“Last year was a great learning experience [for me and the team],” Kiarash said in an interview with The Journal. “One of the main things I wanted to do is build a full-year soccer program here at Queen’s,” aiming to have athletes train in all areas of the game.
Kiarash also emphasizes that in order to be the best, everyone must play the best. “We didn’t shy away from tough competition; we played exhibitions against the toughest in the OUA,” he said, while also hoping to foster a culture of growth mindsets. “My expectation is to be the best version of yourself every single day,” Kiarash said. According to Kiarash, Ian Ferguson, ArtSci ’26, is a key player for students to keep their eye on this fall.
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The Gaels’ fall varsity teams are sure to bring excitement to campus and beyond. Stay tuned for more previews to connect with more of Queen’s athletics.
Tags
Dan Valley, Dave McDowell, Football, Kasy Kiarash, Men’s Soccer, soccer, Steve Snyder, Women's rugby
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