LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (U SPORTS) – Scoring in the opening minute and playing solid defence throughout the match, the fifth-seeded Laval Rouge et Or advanced to Friday's semifinals with a 35-5 win over the OUA Champion Guelph Gryphons.
 
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On Friday, Laval will face the top-ranked StFX. X-Women in a semi-final, while the Gryphons will face the host Lethbridge Pronghorns on the consolation side.
 
"Before the game we talked about defence with this kind of weather as our main point," said Laval head coach Kévin Rouet. "For the first half we played well in defence, very aggressive and tackled well.
 
"Again tomorrow it will be a defensive game and if we could start the game like we did today it would put us in a good position."
 
Playing with the wind in the opening half, the Rouge et Or took full advantage of the wind, scoring two tries in the opening four minutes of the game. Justine Pelletier slipped into the end zone only a minute in, followed by Mariane Guilbault only three minutes later. Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau hit both converts for a 14-0 lead for the fifth-seeded Rouge et Or.
 
The RSEQ silver medalist continued their strong play in the opening half, shocking the OUA champion Gryphons. Fabiola Forteza and Justine Pelletier added to the Laval's lead in the 17^th and 21^st minute. Beaulieau remained perfect in the kicking game, pushing the score to 28-0.
 
The Gryphons showed some life in the late minutes of the opening half but Laval was able to withstand the Gryphons' late push and carry a 28-0 lead into halftime.
 
Out of the break, now with the wind at their back, Guelph pushed Laval deep into their own end. Following a long possession by Guelph, April Wright was able to push the ball across for the Gryphons' first points of the game, trailing 28-5.
 
However, the Gryphons' momentum didn't last long, as Rosalie Lepage-Tremblay broke a tackle near midfield, offloaded the ball to Roxanne Anger, who raced away for Laval's first try of the second half. In tough conditions, Beaulieau remained perfect, hitting her fifth convert of the match.
 
Though the final 20 minutes, Laval remained aggressive defensively and were able to shut down the Gryphons' attack for the rest of the game.

The consolation match between Guelph and Lethbridge will take place at 3pm (ET) on Friday, November 3.
 
 
Scoring summary 
                                    1          2          F
Guelph                        0          5          5
Laval                          28        7          35
 
First half
 
1' Laval Justine Pelletier Try- convert made (Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau) 7-0
4' Laval Mariane Guilbault Try – convert made ((Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau) 14-0
17' Laval Fabiola Forteza Try - convert made ((Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau) 21-0
21' Laval Justine Pelletier Try- convert made (Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau) 28-0
Second half
 
40' Guelph April Wright Try – Convert missed 28-5
47' Laval Roxanne Angers Try - convert made (Anne-Charlotte Beaulieau) 35-5