First-timer Gee-Gees eliminate host Gryphons from CIS women’s rugby championship

GUELPH, Ont. (CIS) – Playing in their first-ever game at the CIS women's rugby championship, the Ottawa Gee-Gees survived a late surge by tournament host Guelph to defeat the Gryphons 21-15 in the fourth game of the national competition at Alumni Stadium, Friday afternoon.

The Gee-Gees (1-0), who captured the first RSEQ conference title in program history last weekend, will face the OUA champion McMaster Marauders (1-0) Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for first place in Pool B and a spot in Sunday's Monilex Trophy final at 2 p.m.

Guelph (0-2), which lost 15-13 to McMaster in its opener on Thursday, is eliminated from medal contention and will face Alberta for fifth place Sunday at 10 a.m. It marks the end of a remarkable run of success at the national championship for the Gryphons, who had reached the CIS podium in each of the last eight seasons, including one gold (2011), three silver (2013, 2012, 2006) and four bronze medals (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007).

The Gee-Gees took an 11-5 advantage to the locker room at halftime and increased their lead to 21-5 in the second half but saw the locals score a pair of try in the final seven minutes to make for an interesting finish.

Although the Gryphons were able to control play in the opening half, they were unable to capitalize on their possession within Ottawa's 22. 

Thanks to their 'bend-but-don't-break' defence, the Gee-Gees were able to limit Guelph to just one try, by Devon Stober, in the opening 35 minutes.

From an attacking standpoint, leading the way for Ottawa was fourth-year fullback Irene Patrinos (Mississauga, Ont.) who, despite the tough conditions, produced the most impressive kicking performance of the tournament thus far. Patrinos split the uprights on a pair of penalty kicks in the first half, including a make from 36-metres out. 

Danielle Erdelyi had the Gee-Gees only try of the opening period.

After the break, Patrinos connected on her third penalty kick of the game and Allison MacCormack (Orangeville, Ont.) added a try to put Ottawa up 21-5. 

For the Gryphons, Brittany Kassil (Guelph, Ont.) was an imposing force all match long. Aside from electrifying the crowd with the biggest collision of the game, Kassil would also punch through the Gee-Gees defence for a try in the 63rd minute to trim Guelph's deficit to 11. 

The scoring play seemed to spark the Gryphons, who made a furious comeback attempt late in regulation. Alexandra King (Ottawa, Ont.) scored with two minutes left to make it 21-15, but that's as close as the locals would get.

Moments later, the Gryphons were one clean pass away from another try, but a handling error on the outside proved costly. 

The crowd at Alumni Stadium would come alive one last time when Jennifer Dunn (West Vancouver, B.C.) raced down the sideline only to be forced out of bounds deep within Ottawa territory. 

Megan Copeland-Dinan (Ottawa, Ont.) was named player of the game for the winners. Kassil received the same honour in a losing cause.

While rainy conditions made ball handling a challenge, Guelph head coach Colette McAuley was nevertheless frustrated with her team's performance stating, "you can't win games when all you're doing is dropping the ball."

Ottawa's Jennifer Boyd, who was named CIS coach of the year on Wednesday, saw her young Gee-Gees continue to turn some heads in CIS rugby circles. 

"None of the girls have ever been here before. We told them to enjoy it and just try to be better every game. We are going to try to enjoy this one for a few hours, but the focus has already shifted to recovering and getting ready for McMaster."

Source: CIS