The Brock Badgers women's lacrosse team hosted the 2024 edition of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women's Lacrosse Championship.

In front of their home fans at Kiwanis Field, the Badgers were unable to secure a victory, falling in two games in the round robin round on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26.

"I am so proud of the team for their hard work this weekend," said Head Coach Laura Tober. "They took to the field with pride and drive and fought right through until the final buzzer went at the end of the fourth quarter."

Despite the two losses, the Badgers had much to celebrate as they earned one major award and two all-star selections.

Abby Holliday was named OUA Rookie of the Year and all-star from the attacker position while Gabby Winters was recognized as an OUA all-star as a midfielder. Holliday is the first OUA Rookie of the Year for the Badgers since Mia Friesen received the award in 2021.
 

Game 1 (Friday, Oct. 25): Brock 8 - Toronto 15

The Badgers looked to strike for their first win of the tournament, but it was the Toronto Varsity Blues who had other ideas.

Rebounded from their earlier draw with the Trent Excalibur, the Varsity Blues bested the Badgers 15-8.

Winters and Mackenzie Shigwadja led the Badgers with two goals each.

Toronto's Holly Bureau slotted in four of Toronto's six first-quarter scores as they rode out that momentum for a 9-3 first half.

It was a low scoring third quarter as the Varsity Blues outscored the host Badgers by a score of 2-1 to expand their lead to 10-4. 

The home fans brought the noise as they saw their Badgers score four goals in the final frame. Shigwadja scored both of her goals in the quarter while Winters and Kennedy Smith also found the scoresheet. 

Up to the task, the Varsity Blues put in five of their own to capture the contest.

After the match, the Badgers women's lacrosse team celebrated their seniors in a postgame ceremony that was attended by many family members and fans.
 

Game 2 (Saturday, Oct. 26): Brock 5 - Trent 13

The Brock Badgers tournament run at home came to an end as the Trent Excalibur were victorious 13-5. 

Both Holliday and Kyla McGuire finished with two goals each for the Badgers.

A tight first quarter saw the Excalibur up 2-1.

The next 15 minutes saw the Excalibur ratchet up the pressure, scoring three goals and holding their opposition to one to carry a 5-2 halftime lead. 

Brock reversed their fortunes in the third frame as they earned goals from Holliday, McGuire and Shigwadja. The Badgers held the Excalibur scoreless leading to a tie 5-5 game at the end of the quarter and a highly anticipated final 15 minutes of action. 

It was all Excalibur from there, however, as they added eight in the final quarter to claim the victory and a spot in the OUA semifinal round.

"Between the two games that we played the girls came out absolutely on fire against Trent and played arguably one of their best games from the season," Tober added. "Although we didn't get the result that we wanted, the girls came together and fought hard and resiliently all the way until the end."

This marks the end of the road for the Badgers who improved from 2023, picking up three wins on the season in Tober's first campaign as head coach.

2024 OUA Women's Lacrosse Major Award Winners

Most Valuable Offensive Player: Jaedyn Smail, Queen's Gaels 
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Taya Keast, Western Mustangs 
Rookie of the Year: Abby Holliday, Brock Badgers 
Coach of the Year: Jesse Porter, Toronto Varsity Blues 

2024 OUA Women's Lacrosse All-Stars 

Attackers 
Reese Wilkins, Western Mustangs 
Charlotte Sawicki, Queen's Gaels 
Abby Holliday, Brock Badgers 

Midfielders 
Kendra Orr, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
Jaedyn Smail, Queen's Gaels 
Abby Lee, Queen's Gaels 
Natalie Fournier, Trent Excalibur  
Gabby Winters, Brock Badgers 

Defenders 
Taya Keast, Western Mustangs 
Kaya Maracle, Queen's Gaels 
Leah Hickey, Toronto Varsity Blues 

Goalie 
Kieran Gerow, Trent Excalibur