HUMBER, CONESTOGA BATTLE FOR OCAA WOMEN'S RUGBY TITLE

TORONTO - The Humber Hawks are one win away from claiming a second straight Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women's rugby crown, with perhaps their toughest opponent standing in their way.

Although Humber has a perfect record in 2011, the Conestoga Condors gave the Hawks their toughest match of the regular season. It should be no surprise, then, that Conestoga is Humber's opponent in the OCAA gold medal match.

In the OCAA bronze medal match, Algonquin visits regional rival St. Lawrence-Kingston.

Conestoga (3-3-0, 2nd West) at Humber (6-0-0, 1st West)
OCAA Gold Medal Match
Sunday, Nov. 13 - 1 p.m.

Humber has been on a roll since winning the 2010 OCAA women's rugby championship. The Hawks defeated their West region opponents in six regular season matches in 2011, and defeated Algonquin 41-5 in last weekend's semi-final.

Conestoga is in its first year of OCAA women's rugby, and put together an impressive .500 record. The Condors then defeated an unbeaten St. Lawrence-Kingston 35-22 on the road in the other OCAA semi-final.

Humber beat Conestoga twice during the regular season, including a 44-5 defeat on Oct. 6. It was Conestoga's second effort that was more impressive, as it narrowed the gap with a 24-10 lost on Oct. 22. The 10 points against were the most Humber allowed all season, while the 24 points for was the least number of points the Hawks scored on an opponent. Although the Condors still face an uphill battle, they should give Humber a stiff test.

Humber has a well-balanced offensive attack as seen in both matches. Laura Muller scored three tries in the first meeting, while Maire Balzan added a pair. Katelyn McCreary scored a pair of tries in the second meeting against Conestoga.

Conestoga's Valerie Shantz and Julia Bushell both scored a try against Humber during the regular season. Caitlin Martin, Conestoga's leading scorer, was held off the scoresheet in both matches.

Algonquin (4-2-0, 2nd East) at St. Lawrence-Kingston (5-0-1, 1st East)
OCAA Bronze Medal Match
Sunday, Nov. 13 - 1 p.m.

Conestoga may have handed St. Lawrence its first defeat of the season in last weekend's semi-finals, but the Vikings will look for a "bronze lining" to their 2011 campaign this week.

St. Lawrence defeated its bronze medal match opponent twice during the regular season, including a 24-7 win at home on Oct. 5 and a 22-11 win at Algonquin on Oct. 30. Corisa Cluett scored a total of three tries against Algonquin, including two in the latter match. Teammate Hannah Gillespie recorded a try in each match.

Algonquin made its debut in OCAA women's rugby this season, with positive results. Algonquin's only regular season losses came against St. Lawrence, as the Thunder hope the third time is the charm. Jenna Crothers and Robyn Quade were the only members of the Thunder to score tries against the Vikings this season.

- OCAA -

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