GUELPH, Ont. – In what is always a marquee match-up on the OUA schedule, the No. 6 nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons played host to the No. 2 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. In a meeting between the two programs that have combined for the last four OUA championships, it was the Gaels getting the upper-hand this time around. Led by a pair of Sophie de Goede try's, Queen's defeated the Gryphons 31-3.

For the Gryphon's all afternoon felt like one of those games where it just wasn't clicking. Despite a strong team effort and plenty of energy and physicality, it seemed one final touch or bounce just would not break their way when they needed it. Unfortunately, that kind of misfortune will be taken advantage of every single time by a team as good as the Gaels.

Throughout much of the first-half, there was very little separating the two sides, who both entered the match with perfect 2-0 records. With tremendous battles for field position taking place, it was the Gaels who were first able to work their way through and get on the scoreboard.

Scoring her first of two try's, de Goede, the OUA MVP of the last two seasons, got across the Guelph goal line in the 9^th minute. From that point on, the next twenty minutes became a grind for both teams. Each side was able to gain some ground at times, but neither defence would break in the end.

However, in the 34^th minute, the Gaels were able to add to their lead. Receiving the ball on the right edge of the field, Maddy Kushner was able to finish the Queen's run and give the Gaels a 12-0 advantage. Then just moments later, the Gaels created some breathing room with a long scoring run from Carmen Izyk in the 36^th minute.

Shortly before the half expired, the Gryphons were able to get themselves on the board. Attempting a penalty kick in the 39^th minute, Kendra Cousineau split the uprights, trimming the Queen's lead to 19-3 at the break.

As the second half got underway, the Gryphons continued to battle despite the uphill climb in front of them. On a pair of occasions, Guelph worked the ball deep into Gael's territory but were unable to find that final push across the line.

Meanwhile, using their defencive success to spark their offence, the Gaels were able to tack on two more try's in the second half. Sophie de Goede scored her second in the 55^th minute. Then in the 77^th minute, the Gryphons were called for a foul near their own goal line. It was then ruled that the foul negated a Queen's try which the official then awarded putting Queen's up 31-3

"The girls battled so hard and defensively they were so good," said Gryphon's Head Coach Colette McAuley. "There were a few gaps here and there, but in the moment, I was very proud of the effort they put forth."

"We do have to make sure that our skills don't let us down though and we need to be able to pass and catch that ball under pressure."

Looking to bounce back from their first loss of the 2021 campaign, the Gryphons will now prepare for their regular season finale on Saturday. Heading to Toronto, the Gryphs will be on the road to take on the York Lions. Following the regular season, the OUA Semi-Finals are scheduled for October 30^th.