OTTAWA (U SPORTS) – A conference champion was unseated for a second time on Day 1 of the 2019 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship. RSEQ runner-up Laval utilized a quick attack and strong defence to defeat Canada West champion UBC 32-12 in Quarter-Final 2 at Matt Anthony Field at the University of Ottawa.
 
Laval opened the match with outstanding pace and energy with flanker Nele Pien opening the scoring mere minutes after kickoff.

Fresh from a heartbreaking loss in the RSEQ final, Laval responded with a near perfect effort in the first half, with three consecutive tries and two converts in the first 35 minutes.
 

As time ticked away in the first half, the Thunderbirds pushed down field in an attempt to get their first points of the afternoon on the board, however, the Rouge et Or defence held strong to maintain the shutout.
 
With a 19-0 lead at halftime, the Rouge et Or continued their pressure to start the second half. An evenly matched 25 minutes in the second half saw UBC respond well to Laval's attack, however, they were unable to convert offensively.
 
Another offensive burst for the Rouge et Or came in the 56th minute, with Anaïs Gilbert dotting down to extend the Laval lead. With a made conversion by Anne-Charlotte Beaulieu, the lead was increased to 29-0.

In the final 10 minutes of the match, UBC closed the gap, with fly-half Breanna Aikens breaking through to score the Thunderbirds' first try of the match. Laval replied with a penalty try.
 

"Thanks! ??" - @ubctbirds / "Merci! ??" - @ubctbirds #ChaseTheGlory | #ViserHaut pic.twitter.com/N0N2l1vML6

— U SPORTS Rugby (@USPORTS_Rugby) October 30, 2019

In a final positive for UBC, centre Madison Gold intercepted a Laval pass, broke loose and recorded her team's second try of the afternoon. Following a made convert by Canada West Player of the Year Shoshanah Seumanutafa, the score settled at 32-12 in favour of the Rouge et Or.

Both teams will back in action on Friday, with Laval facing Guelph for a trip to the national final on the line, and UBC taking on St. Francis Xavier in a consolation semifinal.
 
Nike Top Performers:
 
LAV: Justine Pelletier
UBC: Heather Ritchie
 

As the official Rugby Ball Supplier of U SPORTS, Gilbert Rugby Canada will provide match balls and other prizing to the 2019 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship Presented by University of Ottawa from Oct. 30 - Nov. 3 at Matt Anthony Field.