RECAP: Women’s rugby sweeps Team USA in Garnet and Gold Classic

The Gee-Gees women's rugby team defeated the USA U23 and U20 squads in consecutive games at Matt Anthony Field in the Garnet and Gold Classic.

The American teams, comprised of the top women's rugby players in the United States under the ages of 23 and 20, respectively, were in the nation's capital for the four-game series pitting the USA Rugby squads against the Gee-Gees and the Queen's Gaels. 

Ottawa beat the U23 team in a hotly contested match on Sunday, July 17 by a 35-24 score and followed that up with a 39-5 decision over the U20s two days later.

"It's just so amazing for the women's game," said Gee-Gees head coach Jen Boyd. "It's such a privilege to work for uOttawa and have everyone work really hard to host these teams. I've been speaking with the American coaches every day, and the memories everyone's making are something they'll tell their children and grandchildren about. That's really what this week was about."

The Gee-Gees spread the scoring around in the Sunday matchup, with five different players finding the try zone, including Leigha Stiles earning her first points in Garnet and Grey. The scoring was punctuated by Claire Gallagher converting all five tries. 

Ketsia Kamba stole the show in the Tuesday confrontation with the U20 squad. The third year Burlington, Ont., product scored a trio of tries in a dominant performance. The U20s put up some stiff defence in the second half and scored a try of their late courtesy of Kathryn Storey.

"There was a lot of grinding and a lot of hard work we had to do," said Kamba, a Communication and Sociology student. "We did what we had to do over the summer to get two results. This is going to be some great film to go off of for the season opener."

"We've never been together in the summer, so this is massive and a real good build for us as we prepare for the fall," said Boyd.

The defending National Champion Queen's Gaels also swept their matches in the Classic. 

Ottawa opens their RSEQ regular season on the road against the Concordia Stingers on Sept. 4 and play their home opener against the Montreal Carabins on Sept. 10. Tickets are on sale at tickets.geegees.ca.