Excalibur claim first OUA Lacrosse Championship in program history

HAMILTON, Ont. – A dynasty ended on Alumni Field Sunday, but not without a substantial fight. 

The Trent Excalibur ended Western's five-year reign as OUA lacrosse champions – winning their first conference title as an institution in the process – by outlasting the Mustangs 11-10 in the gold medal final hosted by McMaster.

Their victory Sunday capped a perfect season for the Excalibur, who validated their status as the East's top seed entering play at the OUA Championship. 

Earlier, the Laurier Golden Hawks secured bronze with a thrilling overtime victory over the Brock Badgers, scoring a crucial second goal in the extra period for a 12-11 decision.

Trent Makes School History in Dethroning Western

It was their marquee attackers who once again led Trent to a win, as OUA First Team All-Stars Leah Ogilvie and Leah Michel had five and three goals respectively in Sunday's offensive showcase. 

Trent conceded the game's opening goal five minutes into the afternoon, and were on the back foot throughout the first half, trailing Western 5-4 at the break.

But four Excalibur goals in just over four minutes to begin the second half turned the game on its head, with Ogilvie striking twice alongside her OUA First Team All-Star sister Allie and Second Team All-Star defender Mary Coughlin.

Western's response came in the form of a third goal of the afternoon for OUA First Team All-Star attacker Megan Wilkins, and scores from Mikaela Harrison, First Team All-Star Katy de Snoo and Amy Rawlings. With five minutes to play, the Mustangs were a goal off the pace at 10-9, and desperately pressing for more.

But Michel struck with four minutes to play, and despite Rawlings completing her hat trick just outside the final minute, it was too little, too late for the defending champions. 

The Excalibur were recognized for their exceptional 2016 season with a pair of OUA major awards, as Michel was named OUA Rookie of the Year and Leah Ogilvie took home the Most Valuable Offensive Player Honour.

Western's Maegan McCrory had a measure of consolation in the loss, being named as the OUA's Most Valuable Defensive Player. 

Laurier Snatches Overtime Victory, Bronze from Badgers 

The surprise team of the 2016 tournament, the Laurier Golden Hawks had one last, impressive trick up their collective sleeve Sunday.

Despite equalizing three times after falling behind in the first half, the Hawks ultimately entered the break a goal down, when Brock's OUA Second Team All-Star attacker Eryn Brown scored with 2:45 to play to give the Badgers a 5-4 lead. 

Laurier was unfazed, and levelled the game just 47 seconds into the second half through Taylor Miller. Four more goals pushed the Hawks ahead 9-5 with just over 18 minutes to play, but the game had plenty of twists left in store.

Beginning with a goal by Lindsey Highfield at 13:32, Brock reeled off four consecutive goals – including a pair from OUA First Team All-Star midfielder Sarah Simpson – to level the game yet again with 8:31 to play.

Laurier retook the lead through Miller, before Simpson equalized just a minute later, sending the game to overtime at 10-10.

That set up a frantic extra period, in which Simpson scored her fifth and final goal of the game to give the Hawks an 11-10 lead with 2:33 to play, before Brown retaliated just 28 seconds later. 

With time running out on the overtime period, Selina Kazerian played the role of last-minute hero, finding the back of the net with 1:19 to play.

The result was a cruel one for the Badgers and head coach Allison Phillips, who received the OUA Coach of the Year award Sunday. 

Toronto, Queen's Finish Tournament on a High Note

In the first two games of the day, the Toronto Varsity Blues and Queen's Gaels capped their Hamilton trip with victories in the seventh and fifth place games.

Toronto made quick work of the hosts, dealing McMaster their second loss of the weekend in a 12-6 decision. 

OUA Second Team All-Star attacker Sarah Jamieson paced the Blues with three goals and an assist in the win, while Nikki Ditraglia answered with a pair for the Marauders.

Notching their second consecutive win after their heartbreaking defeat to Laurier on Day 1, the Queen's Gaels cruised past the Guelph Gryphons 12-4 in the fifth place game Sunday. 

Mackenzie Clemens had a second-half hat trick, while Samantha French also tallied three goals for the Gaels in the win.

OUA Major Awards and All-Stars

OUA Lacrosse Coach of the Year: Allison Phillips – Brock

OUA Lacrosse Rookie of the Year: Leah Michel – Trent

OUA Lacrosse Most Valuable Defensive Player: Maegan McCrory – Western

OUA Lacrosse Most Valuable Offensive Player: Leah Ogilvie – Trent

First Team All-Stars

Attack

Megan Wilkins – Western

Katy De Snoo – Western

Leah Ogilvie – Trent

Leah Michel – Trent

Midfield

Geneva Calder – Toronto

Sarah Simpson – Brock

Allie Ogilvie – Trent

Defender

Sarah Utting – Queen's

Jacqueline Owens – Western

Maegan McCrory – Western

Allyson Payler – Laurier

Goaltender

Mackenzie Singer - Brock

Second Team All-Stars

Attack

Sarah Jamieson – Toronto

Kathryn Simpson – Brock

Mackenzie Clemens – Queen's

Gracie Whitfield – Brock

Midfield

Eryn Brown – Brock

Samantha French – Queen's

Hayley Liske – Western

Defender

Victoria Halliday – Brock

Mary Coughlin – Trent

Chelsey Liske – Western

Brittany Schwerde – Brock

Goaltender

Denise Miller – Trent

Tournament Results

DAY 1 RESULTS

Game 1: McMaster def. UOIT 5-3

Game 2: Guelph def. York 13-3

Game 3: Brock def. Toronto 10-8

Game 4: Laurier def. Queen's 11-10

Game 5: Western def. McMaster 24-5

Game 6: Trent def. Guelph 18-2

DAY 2 RESULTS

Game 7: UOIT def. York 7-6

Game 8: Queen's def. McMaster 14-2

Game 9: Guelph def. Toronto 8-6

Semi-final 1: Trent def. Brock 13-9

Semi-final 2: Western def. Laurier 14-5

DAY 3 SCHEDULE

Game 12: Toronto def. McMaster 12-6

Game 13: Queen's def. Guelph 12-4

Bronze: Laurier def. Brock 12-11

Gold: Trent def. Western 11-10