McMaster upsets Guelph for second consecutive OUA women's rugby title

GUELPH, Ont. - The Marauders women's rugby team is now back-to-back OUA champions, after beating the Guelph Gryphons 21-13 in the final on Saturday afternoon in Guelph. With the win, the Marauders have booked their spot in the CIS championships in Kingston from November 4 to 7. 

McMaster was ranked No. 3 in the country heading into Saturday's match, two spots back of the Gryphons, who held the No. 1 spot. This was a rematch of last year's OUA finals, where the Marauders were the victors, but that did not intimidate the Gryphons. They jumped ahead first, scoring a try and a penalty kick to take an 8-0 lead in the first half. But Mac answered back when Russell Division All-Star and fifth-year centre Emily Ricketts touched down for a try and Steph Black converted. The Marauders trailed 8-7 going into the halftime break. 

The intensely-fought match continued in the second half in front of a large crowd at Varsity Field. Guelph extended their lead to six at the 53rd-minute mark, but that was not enough to deter the Marauders. They battled back, and McMaster's eight man Cindy Nelles proved why she was named Russell Division MVP, taking the ball past the goal line and touching down for a try. Black then booted her second convert of the day through the uprights, putting Mac ahead 14-13 with 10 minutes remaining in the game. 

After a penalty kick miss from Guelph, the Marauders charged down the field and it was fifth year Christine van Beest who solidified the game by scoring a try, and Black made no mistake, making her third convert of the day. The final whistle was blown and McMaster was named the OUA champions for the second year in a row with a final score of 21-13. 

Head coach, Shaun Allen, who has been at the helm of the rugby program since 2014, stated that he was happiest for his players. 

"For a number of our players, it's their last season, and if we didn't come out victorious it would have been their last game for McMaster," said Allen. "Getting the victory is huge for them, it's huge for our program. 

"It means we get to go to nationals, which is outstanding. It gives us a chance to perform there and go one game better than we did last year." 

The Marauders will look to improve on their second place finish at last year's CIS Championship when they travel to Kingston later this week.

Source: McMaster Marauders