The Waterloo Warriors put forth a determined effort against a solid Queen's Gaels squad in the OUA semifinal tilt on Saturday afternoon but came up short by a score of 36-27.  The black and gold trailed 36-5 at one point but battled their way back to within nine, but could not close the gap any further. 

With the win the Gaels advance to face the Guelph Gryphons for the OUA gold medal while the Warriors will host the bronze medal match at the CIF Fields against the McMaster Marauders.

The Warriors put the first points on the board, with a quick try by Natasha Vrablic in the third minute.  The Gaels tied the game up on a try by Jordyn Rowntree of Stouffville, Ont. in the sixth minute.

Bronwyn Corrigan of Waterloo, Ont. scored the Gaels their second try after a series of phases originating from a ruck allowed her to gain possession and run the ball over the goal line. Corrigan added to the Gaels lead with a conversion, bringing the score to 12-5.

Lauren McEwan of Wasaga Beach, Ont. was the next to score for Queen's after an incredible forty-five yard run. Once again, Corrigan kicked the conversion.  Kayla Roote of Peterborough, Ont. got the Gaels another try in the late minutes of the first half, and with another conversion and try from Corrigan, the Gaels led 31-5 at the half.

The Gaels started the second half with a try from Sarah Pathak of Toronto.  However, the Warriors were quick to respond as Megan Colwell (Spencerville/) put up a drop goal in the fifty-sixth minute. The Warriors continued their new found momentum with Renee Woodhouse (Stratford/) scoring a try followed by a conversion kicked by Colwell. As the clock began to run down, the Warriors continued to close the gap between the Gaels, 36-15. Woodhouse put another try on the board for the Warriors in the sixty-fifth minute, followed by another conversion by Colwell.

The Gaels continued to fight for the win, and played strong defensively trying to keep the Warriors away from their goal line. In the final try of the game was scored in the sixty-seventh minute by Waterloo's Alexis Blair (Mississauga/) off at ten yard run, leaving the final score 36-27 and the Gaels victorious.

Waterloo will host the McMaster Marauders in the OUA bronze medal game on Saturday, October 27 at 12pm (CIF Field #1).