RECAP: Gee-Gees hang tough with powerhouse Stingers

The last time the Concordia Stingers lost a men's rugby game, uOttawa didn't have a team in the RSEQ. 

The Gee-Gees nonetheless pushed the three-time defending champions, who haven't lost a match since 2016, to the brink at Concordia Stadium Sunday afternoon, ultimately falling 30-17. 

"We've shown we are now a big contender in the RSEQ," said coach Andrew Armstrong. "We passed a big test for ourselves. To be that close against a team that has been as dominant as Concordia, at their home field, is big." 

Glenn Roy, James Flemming and Yenam Zouzoua scored tries for Ottawa. 

Concordia opened the scoring with two long penalty kicks, before Roy got across the try line for his second score in as many matches. 

On the stroke of halftime, Elias Hancock sidestepped a couple of Stingers and tossed it to Flemming. The team captain got his first try since the 2018 season, with Jamie Armstrong converting it. The Stingers held a one-point lead at halftime. 

"It's a nice monkey off the back, but I wasn't thinking too deeply about it," said Flemming, a Master's of Education student. "It was more about getting in no matter how. It's always nice to contribute and get that up on the scoreboard." 

Concordia flexed their muscles and started to pull away in the second half, but Ottawa fought back. First-year Yenam Zouzoua found a gap in the Stinger defence to score his first career try, making the final score 30-17. 

"We're gutted with the loss. Gutted," concluded Armstrong. "But we'll learn from it and get better."

Ottawa (1-1) returns to Matt Anthony Field on Saturday, Sept. 25 to face the Université de Montréal Carabins (0-2). Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at tickets.geegees.ca.