USUAL SUSPECTS IN OCAA DIVISION I MEN’S RUGBY SEMI-FINALS

TORONTO - The more things change, the more they stay the same in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Division I men's rugby.

For the third straight year, Humber, Mohawk, Seneca and Trent have all advanced to the OCAA semi-finals. All but Trent have taken turns sharing the OCAA championship the past 11 seasons.

Semi-finals take place on Saturday, with the winners advancing to the gold medal match at the home of the highest seed. Losing teams will battle for a OCAA bronze medal at the home of the higher seed. Both matches will take place the weekend of Nov. 12-13.

Mohawk (2-3-0, 4th Division I) at Seneca (5-0-0, 1st Division I)
Saturday, Nov. 5 - 2 p.m.

Defending OCAA bronze medalist Seneca has not won an OCAA men's rugby championship since 2005, and are in great position to do so this year with home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Sting had a perfect record in five regular season matches, including a 48-10 win over Mohawk on Oct. 6. Seneca's Jarrett Hamilton led the way with three tries, while Matt Raguseo contributed four converts. Seneca outscored the competition 212-39 during the regular season.

Mohawk survived a scare in the qualifying round, edging Fleming-Peterborough 35-33. Graham McKelvey scored a pair of tries in the victory. Mohawk is the defending OCAA silver medalists. All of its losses this season have come against the other three semi-final teams.

Trent (3-2-0, 3rd Division I) at Humber (4-1-0, 2nd Division I)
Saturday, Nov. 5 - 2 p.m.

Defending champion Humber is one victory away from returning to the OCAA gold medal match, with only Trent standing in its way.

Humber defeated Trent 38-13 back on Oct. 1. Nate Le scored three tries in the victory. The Hawks outscored the opposition 231-69 in five regular season matches. Humber's only loss came against Seneca in a battle of unbeatens.

Similar to Mohawk, Trent survived a scare in its qualifying game, edging Conestoga 15-13. Adam Anderson and Tim Dineen both scored tries in the win.

Since joining men's rugby in 2009, Trent has not won an OCAA medal.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

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Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com