A Montreal Carabins women's rugby player is seen during a matchup against the Carleton Ravens on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ottawa, Ont. This is the first Ravens varsity game in 552 days following the cancellation of the RESQ and OUA season due to COVID-19. A 25 per cent capacity has been set by Carleton Ravens in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 [Photo by Spencer Colby/The Charlatan]

The Carleton Ravens women’s rugby team took home bronze in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) playoffs on Sunday with a nail-biting 26-24 win over the Université de Montréal Carabins in Montreal, Que.

The game, which ended in overtime, was one of the most intense matches of the season.

Head coach David Luong said the team has different modes of attack and lost its last game attacking up the middle. They relied on attacks from the edges to win on Sunday.

“We reverted to Plan B and in the end that worked out for us,” Luong said.

Carleton landed in the bronze medal game after losing the semifinals 29-3 to the Laval Rouge et Or on Oct. 30.

“We always preach that it’s always a privilege to play varsity sports and be part of this program,” Luong said. “[We] make sure that we’re just enjoying the moment no matter what you’re feeling.”

 

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The team had faced the Carabins twice prior to the bronze medal game, losing their first matchup 17-5 and winning their second 17-12.

“With the rivalry with us and the [Université de Montréal] … it was that chance to sort of settle this history with one win a piece and being able to go away with that second win,” Luong said.

The Carabins started the game strong and got the first points on the board before halftime. Heading into the second half, the Carabins led 7-0.

“We got a yellow card really early in the game,” Luong said. “It was one of those things where the players didn’t do any favors for themselves. It was a lot of back and forth.”

But the Ravens managed to come back in the second half, using tries from centre Lauryn Walker and fly half Vanessa Chiappetta to tie the game 14-14.

In 20 minutes of overtime, Carleton used a last-second try from back Anastasia Bourka and conversion from scrum half Roberta Drummond to win 26-24.

“[The Carabins] were the first to score and then for us, it was just digging deep and providing an answer. At the end, when we did take the lead, it was at the final whistle,” Luong said.

“[It’s] a big win for the program,” he added.

Featured image by Spencer Colby.

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