Top moments from the 2021 Laurier sports year

Following the cancellation of OUA sports last year, sports editor, Mark Cascagnette highlights the Golden Hawks return to play and their most memorable moments from the past year 

Photo by Darien Funk

OUA announces a return to play for all fall and winter sports; USPORTS announces the resumption of national championships (June 2021)

  • A year removed from competition, the OUA and its member schools agreed on a plan to return to play in the fall of 2021. 
  • The Golden Hawks football program became the first team to return in September while baseball, golf and the men’s and women’s soccer and rugby teams began their season later that month. 
  • Track, hockey and basketball returned later in the fall, with the openers of both the men’s and women’s basketball seasons taking place during the first week of November. 

Men’s football returns to the gridiron with a dominant 37-6 victory over York after 700 days off (Sept. 18th, 2021) 

  • In the first Golden Hawk varsity sports game since the pandemic began, the Laurier football team used their defense and run game to dominate York and increase their win streak over the Lions to six games. 
  • Laurier recorded eight takeaways – forcing four interceptions and recovering four fumbles en route. An easy home victory. 
  • Following the win, coach Michael Faulds and the Golden Hawks earned their highest ranking of the season – eighth in the nation. 

Men’s golf finish with a silver medal at the OUA Championships in Pickering (Oct. 15th, 2021) 

  • The 2019 OUA champion Golden Hawks men’s golf team won a silver medal, finishing 12 over par – only behind Queen’s at this year’s provincial championship. 
  • Conor Gaudet finished in a tie for six individually, shooting 71 and finishing at par during the championship. 

Men’s Football breaks their two-year playoff drought and hosts their first playoff game in four years (November 6th, 2021) 

  • The Golden Hawks finished their regular season 3-3, finishing second in the OUA West division while hosting the seventh ranked Guelph Gryphons in their first playoff matchup since 2017.
  • In front of 1,000 fans, Laurier battled hard despite losing to Guelph 31-18 to put an end to their 2021 season. 

All-Canadian, Ali Sow drafted fourth overall in the Canadian Elite Basketball League draft, while alumnus Kemel Archer wins the CEBL Championship (April-August 2021) 

  • Superstar guard and two-time OUA all-star Ali Sow was drafted fourth overall to his hometown Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2021 CEBL Draft – His second consecutive year of being drafted into Canada’s only professional basketball league. 
  • 2020 basketball MVPKemel Archer won the CEBL Championship in August with the Edmonton Stingers. In three years with Laurier, Archer recorded 542 rebounds, fourth in program history. 

Best Games 

Men’s Football Week 6- Laurier vs Windsor (Oct. 23rd, 2021) 

  • On senior’s day, the Golden Hawks put forth an offensive masterpiece, defeating the Lancers 33-8 to win their second consecutive game and earn a 3-2 record, all but clinching a playoff berth in the process. 
  • Veteran receiver Ente Eguavoen caught 10 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns en route to being named OUA, Laurier and USPORTS player of the week. Eguavoen’s historic day was good for fourth most in OUA history and second in school history. 

Men’s Hockey- Guelph vs. Laurier (Nov. 4th, 2021) 

  • 600 days removed from their first-round playoff matchup, the Golden Hawks spoiled Guelph’s home opener and banner raising celebrations, defeating the Gryphons 5-3 on opening night. 
  • In their return to the ice, three rookies scored a goal in their first game with Laurier while goaltender Christian Propp stopped 26 shots to earn his first victory in the purple and gold. 

Men’s Basketball- Laurier vs. Lakehead (Nov. 19th, 2021) 

  • Over 20 months removed from their last home contest, the Golden Hawks returned to the Athletic Complex and put on a show, defeating the Thunderwolves 103-77 to win their first game on the season. 
  • Ali Sow led the way with 26 points while Ben Stevens recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Majok Deng had a career-high 15 rebounds.

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