Despite a big win at the team's home opener, Marauders women's rugby team was dealt a defeat by Brock University
After a season home opener win against Trent University on Aug. 31, the Marauders women's rugby team faced Brock University away from home. The team’s win against Trent showed the Marauder’s offensive abilities, and highlighted some of the team’s top players.
Fifth year Taylor Wood earned McMaster’s athlete of the week accolade for her performance against Trent University after scoring four tries for the team in the 57 to zero win. Fourth year Osa Olaye also put meaningful points on the board for the Marauders, as she scored four tries. She opened the scoring for the Marauders team against Trent.
After these standout performances, the Marauders traveled to St. Catharines on Sep. 7 to face Brock University.
After these standout performances, the Marauders traveled to St. Catharines on Sept. 7 to face Brock University.
Going into this game, the Marauders would have the upper hand in terms of USport’s power rankings. The Marauders were ranked in ninth place coming into the game against the Badgers. Meanwhile, the Badgers sat in 15th place, after losing their season opener to Queen’s University which was ranked number two.
Despite these rankings, the Badgers were able to win against the Marauders. The final score was five to 43 with the sole point by the Marauder's being scored by third-year Brianna Williams.
Despite these rankings, the Badgers were able to win against the Marauders. The final score was five to 43 with the sole point by the Marauder's being scored by third-year Brianna Williams.
This game contributed to the Marauders and Badgers having a change of place in the USport’s power rankings. The Marauders currently sit at 15th place, while the Badgers jumped to eighth place.
Stay tuned as the Marauders will face Wilfrid Laurier University on Sep. 14.
Following their Feb. 17 loss to TMU, the Marauders suffer their second loss of the weekend at the hands of the Toronto Varsity Blues
A poor finish to the regular season isn’t what many expected to see for the Marauders men’s volleyball team after starting their season with 18 consecutive wins, yet, it happened. It marks the first time since February 2016 that the team has lost back-to-back regular season games. Ironically, the Toronto Varsity Blues were also a part of that losing streak.
Though the Varsity Blues are a stronger opponent then the Toronto Metropolitan Bold, sitting fourth in the standings coming in, the 2021-2022 provincial championship rematch was still largely a game McMaster was expected to take. At least this time out, unlike against the Bold, the Marauders provided some resistance. They took one set by a score of 25 to 23, while losing another by a slim 27 to 25. The remaining two sets were lost by a score of 25 to 20.
The team remained short handed with Sam Cooper remaining out, and Tyler Pavelic having not played per his absence on the box score. However, Mateusz Wlodarski made his return to the court, and Maxime Gratton, whose availability remained in question, also played, making this loss more concerning than the last.
The two losses come as the final two games of the regular season. The Marauders currently hold the second longest losing streak, just to the 20 loss Royal Military College Paladins. On a positive note, the team still finishes as the sole victor of all 10 home games, while also holding the best record on the road.
The Marauders won’t play again until the Ontario University Athletics playoffs, where the quarterfinals begin on Feb. 25. McMaster will hold home court advantage throughout as the number one seed after finishing three wins above the second place Windsor Lancers.
