RECAP: #5 women’s rugby secures spot in U SPORTS National Championship with win over #7 Ravens

For the eighth consecutive season, the Gee-Gees are off to the U SPORTS Women's Rugby National Championship. 

A 37-10 win over the Carleton Ravens under the lights at Matt Anthony Field on Friday evening propelled the Ottawa to the annual tournament. Six different Gee-Gees scored tries, with Claire Gallagher notching eight points in the victory. 

"It shows the rugby community we have here in Ottawa," said Gee-Gees head coach Jen Boyd when asked about the Ravens season. "A lot of the players play club rugby together in the summer and we work together in the summer with joint training sessions. It's really important that we keep growing the game together in Ottawa to keep both of our programs strong." 

Ottawa led wire-to-wire, but the match was significantly closer on the scoreboard than their regular season contest was – that one ended 54-3 in favour of Ottawa. 

Ngozi Mosindi got the scoring started with an early try, which was immediately followed by a Gallagher penalty. Carleton kept things close with a converted try of their own, but Ketsia Kamba had Ottawa up 13-7 at the half.

Carleton opened the second frame with a penalty, but it was all Gee-Gees the rest of the way. Deborah Oyetoran scored, as did finishers Tylo Borsboom, Anna Dodge and Leigha Stiles.

"Carleton always makes you work," said Boyd, who has been at the helm of the program for all eight National Championship berths. "It's a great rivalry. They changed tactics, but we adjusted really well. For us, our bench was so strong – there's so much depth this year and we're all healthy."

Friday's match served as most likely the final game at Matt Anthony Field for graudating seniors Ritaj Abdoulla, Tylo Borsboom, Anna Dodge, Claire Gallagher, Talia Hennessy, Meredith Sirrs, Emma Wade, Sarah White and Georgia Stewart.

Before turning their attention to the National Championship, Ottawa will await to see if they will play the Laval Rouge et Or or the Montreal Carabins in the RSEQ final. It could be the fifth straight season Ottawa and Laval are playing for the conference title, with the Rouge et Or entering the game on a four-game winning streak over the Gee-Gees.

The 2022 U SPORTS National Championship is taking place at the University of Victoria from November 2 through November 6.