Mohamed Hagi Yusuf | Contributor
Featured photo: The rugby Lionesses currently sit second in their division after two games. | Amir Yazdanparast
The York women’s rugby team lost game two of the season to the dominant McMaster Marauders 42-13 on Friday night.
York came into the game with momentum from their 71-0 defeat of the Brock Badgers last week and started the game strong with a successful penalty kick from Cat Belanger, the team’s point leader.
Unfortunately, team captain Cheyenne Legerton had to leave the game early due to an injury. Legerton’s back row play was sorely missed, as the Lions found their back line exposed by strong rushes from the McMaster side.
“She is an incredible player [and] puts a lot of goal-forward momentum on the field, which we missed. But it was a good feeling to feel confident in who we put on the field,” says Coach Jenn Russell. Legerton was replaced by second-year player Michela Stratton, who finished the game with one try.
Tobi Owotomo scored the Lion’s last try of the half with a strong solo run into the McMaster goal. The defending Ontario University Athletics and Canadian Interuniversity Sport champions McMaster quickly responded with two back-to-back tries to close out the half.
McMaster went on a 25-0 run and scored five tries to open the second half, which York was ultimately unable to come back from. However, they continued to play hard, refusing to give up.
Michela Stratton was able to score a try for York in the last minute of the game, showcasing the team’s never-die attitude.
Despite the loss, Coach Russell is proud of her team’s valiant effort. “It wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but the fact that we scored in the last five minutes of the game shows that the team has a lot of heart and a lot of drive to move forward,” she says.
York currently sits second in the Russell Division with a record of 1-1.
The women will play the Trent Excalibur in Peterborough this Saturday at 1 p.m. Russell is looking forward to play against the last-place Excalibur, who go into the match with a two-game losing streak. “I’m excited. We have a lot of talent on our roster and I hope to use more of our roster next week and see the depth in our team,” she says.
York is back at home on September 30 to play their cross-town rival, the U of T Varsity Blues.
