Photo credit Armando Tura
VICTORIA (USports) – Less than one day after playing two extra frames of overtime against the Victoria Vikes, the Concordia Stingers regrouped to hand the McMaster Marauders a 29-22 defeat and claim fifth place in Canada.
“Heart attack kids,” said Graeme McGravie of his team on Sunday. “I thought our girls did a great, great job again today of just playing the game that we want them to play and the game that they’re good at. McMaster put up a great, great fight but it feels good to win.”
The Stingers, who finished fourth in 2015, came out slow against the defending national champions on Sunday, falling behind 7-0 early on a try from Safarra Whiteley-Hoffelner and a convert from Steph Black.
But the Stingers found a second wind after a try from Melissa Wood in the 12th minute and didn’t look back.
“Credit Concordia—they played 90 minutes yesterday and they defended like crazy and did a really good job on their attack and maintaining possession,” said McMaster head coach Shaun Allen.
“We were really looking to push the pace of the game probably beyond what we were physically able to do today given the fact that we played three games in four days and I think it led to too many errors.”
The Stingers added tries from Alexandra Tessier and Emilie Belanger before half along. Sandwiched between those was another try from Whiteley-Hoffelner. Alexandra Ste. Marie made two of three converts to give Concrodia a 19-12 lead after 40 minutes.
In the second half McMaster got on the board first again, as Abi Moody brought the Marauders within two points at 19-17. That would be as close as they would get for the rest of the game, however, thanks to five points from Ste. Marie and a try from Jenna Thompson in the 46th minute.
A penalty goal from Ste. Marie in the 60th minute sealed the deal for Concordia as they came away with the 29-22 victory.
“Great result for us,” said McGravie. “Iffy start to the season back home—a lot of people injured—but we bounced back and to come fifth that’s like a gold medal for these guys so I’m extremely happy.”
“This is an incredibly strong tournament—the team’s are very, very good,” said Allen. “It shows that it’s not easy to do what we did last season.”
SCORING
MAC: 12-10: 22
CON: 19-10: 29
SCORING SUMMARY
10’ MAC Try – Safarra Whiteley-Hoffelner (Steph Black convet) – 7-0
12’ CON Try – Melissa Wood (Alexandra Ste. Marie convert) – 7-7
20’ CON Try – Alexandra Tessier (convert missed) – 7-12
26’ MAC Try – Safarra Whiteley-Hoffelner (convert missed) – 12-12
29’ CON Try – Emilie Belanger (Alexandra Ste. Marie convert) – 12-19
HALF
41’ MAC Try – Abi Moody (convert missed) – 17-19
46’ CON Try – Jenna Thompson (Alexandra Ste. Marie convert – 17-26
54’ MAC Try – Colleen Irowa (convert missed) – 22-26
60’ CON Pen – Alexandra Ste. Marie – 22-29
CARDS
50’ CON #15 Kaylie Stuckey (Yellow)
Players of the Game
MAC #11 – Saffara Whitely Hoffelner
CON #4 – Laetitia Royer
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (All times Pacific Time)
Thursday, Nov. 3
12:00 Quarter-final 1: No. 3 Calgary (42) vs. No. 6 Acadia (10)
14:00 Quarter-final 2: No. 2 Ottawa (25) vs. No. 7 McMaster (19)
17:00 Quarter-final 3: No. 4 StFX (24) vs. No. 5 Concordia (17)
19:00 Quarter-final 4: No. 1 Guelph (33) vs. No. 8 Victoria (27)
Friday, Nov. 4
17:00 Semifinal 1: Calgary (7) vs. Ottawa (5)
19:00 Semifinal 2: StFX (38) vs. Guelph (24)
Saturday, Nov. 5
12:00 Consolation 1: Acadia (5) vs. McMaster (24)
14:00 Consolation 2: Concordia (29) vs. Victoria (20)
Sunday, Nov. 6
11:00 McMaster (22) vs Concordia (29)
13:00 Calgary vs. Guelph
15:00 Ottawa vs. StFX