BELLEVILLE, Ont. - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Rugby Sevens Championship will take place on Saturday at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ont.
Six teams will take the pitch in the hunt for this year's title, including the defending gold medalist and West Division champion Humber Hawks, the East Division champion Durham Lords, reigning silver medalist Algonquin Thunder, 2018 bronze medalist Seneca Sting, Conestoga Condors and St. Lawrence Vikings. The field is based on placing in the top three in the respective regular season division standings.
The regular season division champions (Humber and Durham) earn byes into the semifinals, while the remaining four teams compete to join them. The opening two matches determine the other two semifinalists.
Winners of the semifinals compete in the gold medal match, while losing teams play for the bronze medal. Losing teams in the opening two matches play in a consolation final.
Humber Hawks (12-2, 1st West)
The Humber Hawks hold the distinction of scoring the most points (439) during the regular season, while allowing the least against (106).
Fifth-year wing Cheyenne De Luca (Toronto, Ont.) and fifth-year back Christina Branch (Oshawa, Ont.) combined for 329 of those points on offence. The former scored 31 tries to lead all OCAA players, while the latter led the league with 34 converts. Both would love nothing better than to finish their collegiate careers on a winning note.
Humber's only losses during the regular season came against Algonquin and Seneca, both potential opponents at the championship.
Durham Lords (10-2, 1st East)
In just their second season competing in the OCAA, the Durham Lords improved on their 1-11 record in 2018 to advance to their first provincial championship.
Fifth-year back Kaylah Moehling (Port Colborne, Ont.) did most of the scoring for the Lords during the regular season, with 19 tries and two converts totalling 99 points.
Durham's only two regular season losses came against Fleming (not at the championship) and Humber, a potential opponent in the medal round.
Seneca Sting (11-3, 2nd West)
The Seneca Sting enter the OCAA championship with the longest current winning streak at five matches.
The Seneca trio of Kiera Kuebeck (Greenbank, Ont.), Brooklyn Feasby (Port Perry, Ont.) and Zoey Siciliano (Toronto, Ont.) combined for 258 points, with the latter duo scoring 16 tries each. Opponents should be weary of the one-two-three offensive punch.
Seneca's losses came against Humber (twice) and Fleming (not at the championship). The Sting did defeat Humber 21-19 in their last meeting.
Algonquin Thunder (9-3, 2nd East)
The Algonquin Thunder are looking for redemption after a bid for an undefeated season in 2018 came up short in the gold medal match against Humber.
First-year back Sydney Seymour (Cornwall, Ont.) was one of only three OCAA players that broke the century mark in points scored during the regular season with 15 tries and 13 converts totalling 101 points.
Algonquin lost twice to Durham and once to Seneca during regular season play, teams that the Thunder will no doubt need to get by for a return trip to the OCAA podium.
St. Lawrence Vikings (5-7, 3rd East)
The St. Lawrence Vikings did just enough in the stretch run to secure its place at the OCAA championship.
First-year players Sierra Dunford (Port Hope, Ont.) and Allesha Arsenault (Kingston, Ont.) combined for 17 tries during regular season action.
Four of St. Lawrence's five regular season wins came against teams not at the OCAA championship. St. Lawrence defeated Conestoga 20-0 in early October.
Conestoga Condors (2-12, 3rd West)
The Conestoga Condors needed a 17-5 win over the Sheridan Bruins on Oct. 19 to secure their spot at provincials.
Bethany Hofstetter (Kitchener, Ont.) and Sabrina Dobos (Goderich, Ont.) each scored three tries to lead the Condors in regular season scoring.
With both wins coming against a one-win Sheridan team, Conestoga is looking to play the role of Cinderella at this championship.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/wrug7
Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive
Saturday, November 2
Game #1: St. Lawrence vs. Seneca - 10 a.m.
Game #2: Conestoga vs. Algonquin - 10:30 a.m.
Game #3: Winner Game #1 vs. Durham - 11 a.m.
Game #4: Winner Game #2 vs. Humber - 11:30 a.m.
Consolation Final
Game #5: Loser Game #1 vs. Loser Game #2 - 12 p.m.
Bronze Medal Match
Game #6: Loser Game #3 vs. Loser Game #4 - 1 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game #7: Winner Game #3 vs. Winner Game #4 - 1:45 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com