RECAP: #4 Women’s rugby falls in nailbiter to #2 Laval in RSEQ final

A late penalty kick sealed a second straight RSEQ women's rugby title for the Laval Rouge et Or.

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees stormed back from an early 10-0 deficit, but it wasn't enough to hold off the second-ranked Rouge et Or, who won the conference title on their home turf Saturday afternoon. 

"They were remarkable, just throwing themselves everywhere," said Gee-Gees head coach Jen Boyd of the team's defensive performance. "I haven't seen a team defend like this in a long time. It was a great effort by the Gee-Gees." 

Laval scored 10 points in the first 10 minutes, but were held to just three the rest of the way – a noteworthy feat considering the Rouge et Or averaged over 67 points-per-game this season. The stingy defence allowed the Ottawa offence to go to work. 

A long run from Claire Gallagher setup a Ketsia Kamba try to close out the first half. Ottawa took the lead thanks to consecutive Gallagher penalties early in the second.

The 11-10 score would hold until the final three minutes. Despite making it to each other's goal lines, neither team could punch the ball in, and it was an Alexina Tardif-Samson boot that won the championship for the Rouge et Or. 

"They can lick their wounds a bit, it's tough losing the championship two years in a row to a really good team," said Boyd. "It's still hard. We're looking to reload and start planning for Nationals." 

Conference all-stars and major award winners were announced following the game. Unsurprisingly, the Gee-Gees were well-represented. 

Gallagher, Kamba, Georgia Stewart, Sarah White and Mercedes Cole made the First All-Star Team, while Talia Hennessy, Emma Wade, Ngozi Mosindi, Rachel Steel and Julia Latremouille earned second team honours. 

Cole was named the conference Rookie of the Year, while Mosindi won the Leadership and Community Engagement Award. This is the third straight season a Gee-Gee has won the latter award, with Meredith Sirrs winning in 2019 and Alexandra Ondo earning the honour in 2021. 

The Gee-Gees now set their sights on the U SPORTS Women's Rugby National Championship, which takes place Nov. 2-6 at the University of Victoria. Both teams had clinched their spot at the championship prior to the RSEQ final.

The U SPORTS National Championship draw and schedule will be released in the coming days.