GUELPH, Ont. – On Saturday afternoon (Oct. 1) at the University of Guelph's Rugby Field, the Guelph Gryphons women's rugby team played host to the Queen's Gaels in a U SPORTS Top 10 matchup that marked the final regular season home game for the Gryphons. It was a tough, physical contest between two of the OUA's and nation's best programs, with the top-ranked Gaels coming out on top 45-18 over Guelph. The U SPORTS No. 5-ranked Gryphons found themselves trailing early to the No. 1-ranked Gaels following two tries in the first 20 minutes of the contest. The first half, like much of the game, was a slugfest with both teams trading blows and possessions. The only try of the first half for the host Gryphons came from Shoshauna Gauvin, but it was the Gaels who took a commanding 24-8 lead into halftime. Queen's was able to open the second half with two more quick scores from Maggie Banks, extending the Gaels lead to 38-8. The Gryphons, however, would not go away quietly, scoring two tries late in the game in a comeback attempt that simply ran out of time. Madelyn Ryan and Meg Rogers were the other try scorers for the Gryphons with Kendra Cousineau adding a penalty kick.
 
The Gryphons, who fall to 4-1 on the season, will look to bounce back in their regular season finale versus the Western Mustangs (3-1) on Friday, Oct. 7 when they head to London for a 7pm match. Following their regular season finale, the Gryphons will see where they land in the rankings for the OUA playoffs which will begin on October 15.