Despite a dramatic late-game comeback, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks lost their second game of the season on Homecoming Saturday, falling 27-25 to the Ottawa Gee Gees.
The teams were tied at 14 after an evenly matched first half, but as the second half unfolded, the Gee Gees pulled away, finding themselves up 27-16 mid-way through the fourth quarter.
However, the Hawks managed to fight their way back. A Chris Mamo field goal made the score 27-19, and after Pawliuk threw an interception, the Hawks’ defence came up with a huge stand, giving the offence the ball just short of mid-field with 1:48 left on the clock.
Pawliuk, who was making just his second career start, led the Hawks down the field with the poise of a veteran, and the drive culminated with running back Mike Montoya getting into the end zone with only five seconds left.
Just a two point conversion away from sending the game to over-time, Pawliuk attempted to run the ball in himself and was met at the goal line by a number of Gee Gees defenders. While it appeared as though Pawliuk got the ball into the end zone, the referee signaled that he didn’t and the game ended with the Hawks on the short end of the 27-25 score.
