The Carleton Ravens women’s water polo team defended their title and took home the gold medal in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships this weekend in Kingston.
The win marks the team’s fifth OUA Championship in six years.
The Ravens came into the tournament with high hopes after finishing the season with a 16-2-2 record in three exhibition tournaments.
They defeated the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 9-7 in the tournament final Nov. 28, capturing first place and the gold medal.
Ravens forward Anne Chinneck was a standout in the final game, scoring three times and playing a solid defensive role, shutting down the Varsity Blues towards the closing stages of the game.
The win came just one day after an overtime loss to the Blues in round robin play.
“The Blues are a very physical, experienced, and well-coached team,” said women’s head coach Steve Baird. “We understood after losing 9-7 to them in double OT on Saturday that we only needed to defeat them once to win the OUA banner.”
Ravens goaltender Evelyn Marshall, who had been crucial to the team’s success all season, won the Roy Gunnell Trophy as tournament MVP.
“[Marshall] is the best goalie in the OUA and a fully deserving winner of the championship MVP trophy,” Baird said.
Marshall was also one of four Ravens to be named to the tournament all-star team, which included teammates Kaitlyn Sennema, Meaghann Broddy and Sarah McIlveen.
The second-ranked men’s team did not fare as well in their championship.
After going undefeated in their division, they were upset by Western in the semi-final, losing 11-10. The Ravens lost by the same score in the bronze medal game against McMaster.
“While the athletes showed a great deal of focus over the weekend, I think a lack of experience showed in the final two games,” said the men’s head coach Zoltan Csepergi.
Utility player Charles Bouwer had a solid outing this weekend for the men’s team, scoring 14 goals over the four games and was named to the tournament all-star team.