(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS are Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women’s rugby champions after beating the Holland College Hurricanes 44-12 on Saturday at UNB’s College Field.
Megan Stewart and Alex Morrell combined for seven tries to help lead the REDS to their 7th consecutive ACAA banner.
“It feels great to bring home another banner for the REDS,” said REDS veteran flank Taylor McAuley. “We worked hard as a team, and it was definitely an uphill battle for us this season. We had quite a few injuries and setbacks along the way, but we worked hard and were ultimately able to work together to pull out a championship.”
Holland came out of the gate with a fast start, applying tons pressure on the REDS defence off the opening kick.
That pressure paid off when Rachel MacKay found a gap in the UNB defence to open the scoring and give the Hurricanes the 5-0 lead.
“We tend to play however the other team wants to play” said Hurricanes fullback Tori Hogan. “Today we wanted to set the pace this game and decide how we wanted to play instead of matching up with them.”
UNB would answer right back as Stewart would find space out wide in Hurricanes territory to run in the try and tie the game 5-5.
Not long after, Morrell helped the REDS grab their first lead of the day, bursting through the Hurricanes front row to make the game 10-5 for UNB.
“Our support as a team was great today,” said Morrell. “We were all there for each other. We were slow at first, on the rucks, but we refocused as a team and once we started winning the rucks that’s when it all came together.”
Stewart would then break things open on her most impressive try of the day.
From deep in REDS territory, she found a hole in the ‘Canes defence and that’s all she needed, taking the ball the length of the field to give UNB the 17-5 lead after Kate Bennett converted the kick.
Bennett would convert two kicks on the day for UNB.
“Bailey [Andrews], our assistant coach, taught me to run for spaces, not faces,” said Stewart. “She was on my case about it today, but that really helps me see the field better and find my openings.”
The Hurricanes wouldn’t give up, and shortly after the REDS score, Hogan would find some space in the REDS defence to set up Holland’s second try of the game and close the gap to 17-12 at the half.
Coming out of the break, the REDS would take over, scoring 27 unanswered points in the to close out the game and secure the ACAA banner.
Both Stewart and Morell add two tries each in the second half, while Maddie Matchett added a try late for the REDS.
“It just took a little adjustment in the beginning,” said Stewart. “Holland came out strong, but we pulled it out in the end. As a team we came together and took some deep breaths and started playing our game like we have been all season.”
McAuley was named player of the game for UNB, returning to the REDS this season after a three-year hiatus from rugby to help lead UNB to another ACAA title.
“It feels like I never left,” said McAuley. “I definitely feel old at times, but it’s nice to be back, wearing red and black and bringing home another championship for UNB.”
Hogan was named the player of the game for the Hurricanes after her stellar performance.
The Hurricanes reached the final in just their first season in ACAA women’s rugby.
“I’m really proud of our team,” said Hogan. “A lot of our girls had barely played before, and now we’re in the championship game. It’s crazy to think but it’s such a good feeling to take away from this season, despite the loss.”
After the game Stewart, Bennett, Matchett along with 2nd row Katherine Maxwell and prop Kaylee Madore were named to the ACAA All-Conference team.
For the Hurricanes Hogan, flyhalf Kathleen Curran and lock Madison Tingley were named to the All-Conference team.
“There was a huge difference for us between our first game of the season and the game we played just now,” said Hogan. “I’m super proud of the dedication our girls had and the improvement we made all year. It’s a whole different team from what it was at the start of the year. I’m proud of how far we came. It’s our first season and we’re only going to go up from here.”
The other players named to the ACAA All-Conference team were Harley Siddall, Margie Faulkner and Anna Crossman from Mount Allison. Chloe Beamish and Amelia Jardine from King’s College. Cassidy Gordon from St. Thomas University and Moira Dickieson from Dal AC.
UNB’s Kate Bennett was named the ACAA Player of the Year, while Hurricanes scrum half Emily MacDonald was named the ACAA Rookie of the Year.
UNB head coach Kevin Wilson was named ACAA Coach of the Year for the 7th consecutive season.
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Lauren Tidd/for UNB Athletics