It was an emotional start to the season for the Queen’s football team as they fell short by a single point to the Laurier Golden Hawks. The 11-10 loss for the team concluded the first of eight regular season games scheduled for the 2023-24 season.
The home game’s first quarter started with a style of play that didn’t lead to positive results for the Gaels.
“It was just a slow starting, particularly offensively,” said Gaels Head Coach Steve Snyder in an interview after the game. “I’m not sure if we really developed a plan of attack to take advantage of some of the things [Laurier] were presenting […] and then defensively, just not being able to get off the field early in the game kind of gets your offence cold and they’re just kind of standing around.”
“When you get [to] week one, you’re usually pretty sloppy from a mechanics standpoint.”
Laurier’s Dustin Hodge got the first field goal three minutes and 30 seconds into the first quarter, putting the Golden Hawks up 3-0. With just under five minutes remaining, Hodge posted a single point from a rouge, ending the first quarter with a 4-0 lead over the Gaels.
“There’s not one person in particular,” Snyder said. “There’s lots of things that the bench and the coaching staff—myself included—didn’t stay on top of, and things our players weren’t aware of. Mechanically we’ve got to get better.”
With about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, Queen’s fans finally had something to cheer for when Gaels defensive back, Eric Colonna caught a kick from Laurier and ran approximately 20 yards.
Colonna later made an interception with about nine minutes left in the quarter.
Both these plays had the crowd and the bench cheering while the direction of the game appeared to change to the Gaels’ advantage.
“We’re always looking to do our job out there. If we all do what we’re supposed to someone’s going to be in the right position,” Colonna told The Journal.
With seven minutes left in the second quarter, Gaels receiver Nathan Falconi, caught a pass from quarterback Alex Vreeken, to complete the first touchdown of the game and the team’s season.
“It felt amazing,” Falconi said. “Just in that moment, jumping up, catching the ball and then coming down with [the ball] for the touchdown, it just felt amazing to bring it down for the teammates.”
This meant the Gaels were up 7-4 going into the second half.
The third quarter presented a back-and-forth of field goals between the two teams. Queen’s kicker Tyler Mullan scored once in between goals from Laurier’s Hodge to tie the game at 10-10 going into the last quarter.
Though each team played an even game for most of the fourth quarter, Laurier tipped the scales back with two minutes left on the clock, when Hodge achieved a single point once more.
A lot can happen in those final minutes of a football game and the Gaels didn’t lose hope.
Despite the Gaels’ efforts, and an overwhelming display of support from fans, the Gaels couldn’t pull through and lost the game 11-10.
The game overall was exciting, giving fans a taste of impressive tackles, interceptions, and overall play.
“Overall, we’ve got to improve as a football team, that’s clear,” Snyder said. “It will always be the case in week one. But our team played hard. There was definitely sparks of impressive play, in particular on the defensive line, [they] certainly had impressive interceptions.”
Despite the loss, Snyder mentioned the team is looking ahead to future games.
“It’s emotional. Our guys put their hearts and souls into this, so you don’t want to end up on the wrong end of one of these. But at the same time, we know it’s a long season and the key is going to be sticking together and focusing on improving,” he said.
“We’ve got to learn how to handle things as human beings, it’s not the end of the world.”
The Gaels will face off against University of Toronto’s Varsity Blues in Toronto on Sept. 9 at 3 p.m.
Tags
Football, Laurier Golden Hawks, richardson stadium, Steve Snyder
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