RECAP: Women's rugby falls to Laval in season opener

It came right down to the last play of the game, but the Gee-Gees women's rugby team fell 14-12 to the Laval Rouge et Or in front of a packed Matt Anthony Field Saturday afternoon. 

Ketsia Kamba and Ngozi Mosindi scored the tries for Ottawa.

"We got right down there [at the end], but I don't think it's about the last minute," said Gee-Gees head coach Duncan McNaughton following his first game at the helm of the program. "The girls played well, and so did Laval. We went to the wire, and hey, it's the first game of the season."

The reigning National Champions and two-time defending conference champs opened the scoring, but Ottawa replied quickly with Kamba plunging into the end zone. Kamba was tied for the team lead in the tries last season, and wasted little time opening her account for 2023.

Jamie Lee Walker, assuming the kicking duties following the departure of Claire Gallagher, converted. 

The Gee-Gees sent the capacity crowd at Matt Anthony Field into a ruckus early in the second half. Ngozi Mosindi battled to the corner of the try zone to give Ottawa its first lead of the game.

Laval responded 12 minutes from time and converted the try, giving them a two-point lead they would not relinquish.

It came down to the wire however, with Ottawa maneuvering deep into Laval territory, but a handling error stopped the Gee-Gees 10 yards short of the try line. 

The Gee-Gees will enjoy a rare bye week before returning to home turf at Matt Anthony Field to take on the Montreal Carabins Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale at https://teams.geegees.ca/tickets. 

Montreal is also Laval's next opponent. They meet Sept. 8. 

FACES IN THE CROWD: A number of Gee-Gees alumni were spotted among the Matt Anthony Field patrons, including Taylor Donato, Maya Montiel and Georgia Stewart, while Anna Dodge made her debut on broadcast commentary alongside Miami Mandon…Mikayla Sweeting's family made the cross-country trek from the Vancouver area for the game…A strong contingent of Gee-Gees men's rugby players took in the match, along with coaches Andrew Armstrong, James Flemming and Marius Felix.