LONDON, Ont. – Facing off for the second time this season, Western defeated Queen's 22-19 in the OUA bronze medal game this afternoon at Alumni Field. In their first match-up earlier in the regular season, Queen's had secured a 50-19 win at home over the Mustangs.
With the win, the Mustangs qualify for the CIS Women's Rugby Champoinship hosted by the University of Guelph from October 30 to November 2.
"We changed our game plan," says head coach Natascha Wesch. "Last time we tried to play with them and tried to compete with their size. Obviously that didn't work, and we had to go with what was our style and our strength, and that's speed and quick ball."
Going into the game, Western stood at 2-3 in the regular season, with one win and one loss in the playoffs, while Queen's had a 4-1 record with one win and one loss in the playoffs.
Breanne Nicholas was the first to add points to the scoreboard with a try six minutes into the game.
Andrea Bowra followed up with a second try 15 minutes later, with a successful conversion from Nicholas.
Unwilling to allow another Gaels victory, Western defended the end line closely preventing tries just feet away from the end zone. The Mustangs continued to push through the Gael's defense, with Nicholas scoring an additional try and convert before the end of the half.
With one minute left in the first half, Caitie Ryan surged through the purple and white defense to score the first try for Queen's, bringing the halftime score to 19-5 in favour of the Mustangs.
Nicholas again opened up scoring in the second half with a well placed penalty goal. Lauren McEwan countered with a try and convert minutes later. McEwan later followed up with her second try and conversion of the night.
Nicholas was the high scorer of the night, being responsible for 17 points for the Mustangs from two tries, two conversions, and one penalty goal. Meanwhile fourth-year Queen's student McEwan recorded two tries and two conversions for 14 points.
Next up, the Mustangs will travel to Guelph to compete in the CIS Women's Rugby Championship, beginning on October 30.
