KINGSTON, Ont. – For the first time since 2015, somebody other than the Guelph Gryphons are OUA women's rugby champions. Friday night at Queen's University in Kingston, the three-time defending OUA champion Gryphons saw their streak of conference titles come to an end with a 46-17 loss to the Queen's Gaels. The Gaels led 24-5 at the half and outscored Guelph 22-12 in the 2nd half to secure their second OUA title in program history, and first since 2013.
 
"I'm proud of our girls effort tonight. They battled for all 80 minutes," said Gryphon head coach Colette McAuley. "We made some mistakes tonight that Queen's was able to capitalize on. Going forward, at nationals, we can't afford to make those same mistakes."
 
April Wright, Julia Schell, Brianna Martey and Emilie P. Belanger recorded tries for the Gryphons, who see their streak of OUA gold medal matchup victories over Queen's come to an end with Friday night's matchup marking the third straight season in which the Gaels and Gryphons have met in the OUA title match.
 
In the 26-year history of OUA women's rugby, the Gryphons have claimed a conference record 16 OUA titles. Both teams will now shift their attention the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championships in Ottawa (Oct. 30 – Nov. 2). The Gryphons will head to the nation's capital at the end of the month in search of the third national title in program history (1998, 2011). Last season, the Gryphons took home silver from the U SPORTS Championships in Halifax after falling to St. FX in the gold medal match.