A cold and slushy February day didn’t stop the action at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Alumni Field, where the Golden Hawks hosted OWIFA Qualifier #2 on February 28. With eight university teams packed into a full day of games, the tournament brought high energy, tight matchups, and a clear look at how the league is shaping up heading into the playoffs.
From the outset, it was clear that Queen’s University was poised to dominate; they controlled games from start to finish. Going a perfect 4–0, Queen’s put up 84 points and showed no signs of slowing down, including a statement 24–0 win over Waterloo and a 26–12 performance against York. Everything seemed to click for them, and they left Waterloo looking like the team everyone else will be chasing.
Right behind them, McMaster University quietly put together an impressive day of its own. Finishing 3–0–1, McMaster leaned on a strong defensive presence, giving up only 16 points across four games. They weren’t flashy, but they were efficient—and that consistency paid off. Their last-minute 12–8 win over Laurier showed just how tough they are to break down.
In the middle of the pack, the University of Guelph and Western University both had solid performances. Each finished 2–1–1. Guelph’s defence stood out, allowing just 12 points, the lowest of any team. Western followed a similar path, picking up multiple shutouts and proving they can compete with anyone.
For the Golden Hawks, the results didn’t fully reflect their effort. The Golden Hawks went 1–3 on the day, but there were plenty of positives—especially in front of their home crowd. Their biggest moment came in an 18–12 win over the University of Waterloo, where the offence finally found its rhythm and executed when it mattered most. Even in their losses, Laurier stayed competitive, pushing McMaster to a close 12–8 finish and showing flashes of brilliance.
One of the more interesting storylines came from the University of Toronto, which finished the day 0–1–3. Three ties in four games is rare, and it speaks to how tough they were to score against, even if they couldn’t quite turn those games into wins. York University and Waterloo had tougher days overall, but both teams showed moments of competitiveness in a stacked field.
Looking into the numbers, Laurier’s performance shows a team that was able to generate offence but often struggled to turn drives into points. Quarterback Paige Ryce was central to everything offensively, putting up strong passing volume across games—going 6-for-9 (66.7%) in one matchup, 6-for-13 in another, and 8-for-15 (53.3%) in her busiest outing—showing consistency and confidence moving the ball through the air. She also protected possession well, throwing zero interceptions across the recorded games.
In the receiving game, Grace Hilditch emerged as one of Laurier’s most reliable playmakers, recording multiple receptions in every game (including three catches in one outing and two in others), while also contributing on the ground with a rushing touchdown on four carries. Maya de Paz added steady support with multiple receptions and was also involved in the run game, logging up to four rushing attempts in a game and helping keep the offence balanced.
Defensively, Laurier had several standout individual efforts despite facing strong offences like Queen’s. Jayden MacArthur was a consistent presence, recording up to three tackles and an interception against the University of Waterloo, highlighting her ability to disrupt plays. Kyra Larocque contributed across multiple games with tackles and even a sack, while Ella Bennett also added an interception to the defensive effort. Across the board, Laurier defenders Lauren Kelly and Raquel Scratch were active in limiting big plays, each contributing multiple tackles throughout the day.
At the end of the day, this tournament gave a real sense of where teams stand before the playoffs, as Queen’s and McMaster look like the teams to beat. For the Golden Hawks, they found themselves in the middle of the pack but with a lot to be proud of. With clear areas for improvement and a strong defensive foundation, the Golden Hawks look poised to make a run in this year’s playoffs.
Contributed Photo/OWIFA Website
