GUELPH, Ont. – With their 17th conference title now secured following a tremendous victory in Kingston over the hometown Queen's Gaels on Saturday, the OUA champion Guelph Gryphons will now head back to Kingston seeking the third national title in their program's history.
 
Beginning their run at the 2021 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship on Wednesday, the Gryphons (5-1) will try to carry over the momentum of their OUA championship when they take on the Canada West runner-up, University of Victoria Vikes (4-3) in a quarter-final match-up. 
 
"With such a quick turnaround, we have been focused on the best recovery techniques and mental preparation," said Gryphon's Head Coach Colette McAuley. "The last time we played Victoria was in 2018 and they played a similar style to us."
 
"It's going to be a great match-up in every position and we are looking forward to building on what we've already executed on the field."
 
Although separated by more than 4,000 kilometers, these two schools are certainly no strangers to each other. When Guelph and Victoria hit the pitch on Wednesday in Kingston, it will mark the third time in the last five seasons that the two programs have squared off against one another in a national quarter-final. Fortunately for the Gryphs, they have had the upper-hand in those two previous meetings, winning 54-10 in 2018 and 33-27 in 2016. Despite all of the turnover and change that has taken place since their last meeting, the Gryphons will still be looking to see that winning streak continue.
 
They Gryphons, who have consistently improved each and every game throughout 2021, put together their best performance of the season on Saturday. Sparked by a pair of tries from fullback Talia Hoffman, Guelph was able to defeat the previously undefeated Gaels, 32-23.
 
Along with Hoffman, who has been great all season, Kendra Cousineau, a third-year sociology major, has also put together a tremendous campaign for the Gryphons in 2021. Helping guide Guelph to their fourth OUA title in five seasons, Cousineau led the Gryphons with 32 points. Hannah Beaumont, who led the team in tries with six has also proven very hard to stop once again.
 
Looking at the Vikes, who will make the long trip Kingston, they enter the championship with a 4-3 record in 2021, however, all three of their losses have come at the hands of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (Canada West champions). Using a balanced attack, Victoria had 15 different players score tries this year with Larah Wright's 20 points leading the way. The Vikes punched their ticket to nationals when they defeated Lethbridge 36-7 in the Canada West semi-finals.
 
Wednesday's quarter-final between the Gryphons and Vikes is scheduled to get underway at 2:00pm.
 
Digital coverage can be accessed on cbcsports.ca the free CBC Gem streaming service and the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices.