Western rallies to win seventh OUA Women’s Lacrosse Championship
KITCHENER, Ont. – The Western Mustangs used a five-goal outburst in the opening nine minutes of the second half to come from behind and defeat the Queen’s Gaels 9-7 and claim their seventh OUA Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Sunday afternoon at Woodside Park.
Trailing 4-3 after a solid opening half from the Gaels, the Mustangs overwhelmed Queen’s to begin the second half, led by a pair of goals from Katy De Snoo of Oshawa, Ont., to turn the deficit into an 8-4 lead.
After stretching the advantage to five goals, Western was forced to hold off a relentless Queen’s attack over the final 15 minutes of play, as the Gaels found the back of the net three times to close the gap.
However, the Tricolour were unable to complete a comeback of their own, as the Mustangs claimed their seventh title in the last eight years.
Mikaela Harrison of Whitby, Ont., also shone for Western in the victory, netting a hat-trick, while the Gaels offensive attack was spearheaded by Amelia Piccone of Westmount, N.J.
Earlier in the day, the Toronto Varsity Blues put on an offensive display, as they defeated the host Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 12-8 to claim the bronze medal.
The Blues scored six times in each half and played solid defence on the Hawks, who were leading the championship tournament in goals entering the final day of play.
Sarah Jamieson of Etobicoke, Ont., was the difference-maker on offence for Toronto, scoring four times in the victory.
Torey Barfoot of Owen Sound, Ont., Taylor Miller of Orangeville, Ont., and Rose Williams of Elora, Ont., each scored twice for Laurier in a losing effort.
The fifth place and seventh place games were also played on Sunday as Trent defeated Brock 12-5 to finish fifth, while Guelph beat McMaster 5-3 to grab seventh place.
Following the tournament, the All-Stars for the 2017 season were announced. A complete list of both the 1st and 2nd team can be found below:
1st Team All-Stars
Goalie – Claire Palmer, Western
Defence – Jacqueline Owens, Western
Defence – Emily Ferguson, Laurier
Defence – Kendra Byers, Brock
Midfield – Hayley Liske, Western
Midfield – Samantha French, Queen’s
Midfield – Sarah Jamieson, Toronto
Midfield – Mackenzie Robinson, Trent
Midfield – Olivia Langdon, Brock
Attack – Katy De Snoo, Western
Attack – Kiah Shanks, Queen’s
Attack – Leah Michel, Trent
2nd Team All-Stars
Goalie – Sabrina Schindel, McMaster
Defence – Maegan McCrory, Western
Defence – Annie Lloyd, Queen’s
Defence – June Shiraishi, Toronto
Midfield – Heather Pearson, Western
Midfield – Geneva Calder, Toronto
Midfield – Taylor Miller, Laurier
Midfield – Abby Clayton, Laurier
Midfield – Lindsey Highfield, Brock
Attack – Mary Anne Meerasabeer, Toronto
Attack – Sophie Skillen, McMaster
Attack – Sonya Mwambu, York