The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Women’s Hockey team closed out the first half of the season on a serious high.
On Monday, Dec. 1, they cracked the national rankings at No. 5 in U SPORTS, riding a five-game winning streak into 2026 and turning heads across Ontario.
Over that 5-game period, the Hawks outscored opponents 18–3, highlighted by shutout wins over Brock (5–0) and Western (4–0). They were also the only OUA team to climb the national rankings that week.
The Hawks have been sharp at both ends of the ice. One of their most impressive performances came on the road against Ontario Tech, earning a tight 2–1 win behind goals from third-year psychology major Jersie Lindley, a forward, and first-year kinesiology major Haley Murphy, a right winger.
That success comes from a mix of experienced leaders and emerging contributors. Scoring has been distributed throughout the lineup, while strong defensive play and reliable goaltending have kept opponents in check.
With the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Ice Hockey Championship set to be hosted near the Waterloo region, the Golden Hawks have plenty of reasons to be a problem for any playoff contender.
On the men’s side of the rink, the Golden Hawks Men’s Hockey team has quietly put together a strong season in the competitive OUA West Division.
Through the 2025–26 campaign, Laurier holds an 11-9-1 overall record and a 9-6-1 record in conference play, placing them among the league’s top teams.
The Hawks currently sit third in the OUA standings, trailing only TMU and Lakehead.
The best showing of this team came on November 8, when Laurier erased an early deficit to win the battle of Waterloo 3–2. Goals from first-year arts major Ty Petrou, a centre, second-year arts major Kallaway Mercer, a centre, and second-year arts major Ryan Pryce powered the comeback.
Games like that highlight what this group does well. They score by committee, remain resilient, and are calm under pressure.
While the second half of the season has included some tough losses, Laurier’s place in the standings and the balance they have throughout their roster will allow them to make a late season push to the playoffs.
Off the ice, another Golden Hawks team is preparing for a major campus milestone.
On Friday, January 16, 2026, Laurier Athletics and the Student Union will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a Golden Out women’s basketball game against Western at the Athletic Complex. Fans are encouraged to wear gold and help turn the night into a full campus celebration.
The women’s basketball team enters that matchup having navigated a challenging OUA schedule.
They currently sit at 8–11 overall and 4–7 in conference play, but the record doesn’t tell the full story. The Hawks have shown flashes of what they’re capable of, including hard-earned wins over Algoma University Thunderbirds and Memorial University Sea-Hawks.
The Golden Out game offers a chance to build momentum and bring more consistency into the second half of the season.
The night is especially meaningful because, for five decades, the Students’ Union has supported student leadership, expanded services, funded clubs and helped strengthen athletic and recreation programs. This game stands testament of student involvement and the role it plays in shaping the Laurier experience.
With the fall term wrapped up, and as the new year begins, there is no shortage of action from the Laurier teams. From our hockey teams finding their form, to a milestone celebration, 2026 is shaping up to be a great year to be a Golden Hawk.
Contributed Photo/The Cord Archives/Birnavan Varnacumaaran
