Strong first half propels Guelph over X-Women

Vancouver, BC - The Guelph Gryphons outplayed the STFX X-Women 45-21 in the second quarterfinal of the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship at Thunderbird Stadium.

From the opening whistle, the Gryphons came out strong, leaving STFX with no answer for a relentless first-half attack. The scoring opened early when Guelph hooker Taylor McKnight, powered over for a try in the 9th minute and fly-half Grace Jacklyn added the conversion.

The Gryphons kept up the pressure and in the 23rd minute their play was rewarded with a penalty try, extending their lead to 14-0. Just four minutes later, Grace Jenkins crossed the line for another five points, with Jacklyn's boot making it 21-0.

The scoring continued as winger Addy Holmes scored back-to-back tries, one just before the break and another immediately after, with fullback Milla Sayavongsa slotting the second conversion to give Guelph a 33-0 lead with just under 30 minutes to play.

The X-Women refused to back down and emerged from the break with renewed vigor, scoring three second-half tries. No. 8 Skye Koyote broke the seal for STFX, scoring in the 43rd minute, with Katie Murphy kicking the conversion.

This was followed by scores from Courtney Gottselig and prop Jessie Penney. Full back Alison LeBlanc was accurate off the tee, converting on both attempts.

However, every time STFX threatened to build momentum, the Gryphons had an answer. Sayavongsa and centre Tausani Levale each touched the ball down in the second half for Guelph, with Sayavongsa also adding a conversion to keep the scoreboard ticking over and sealing the victory.

Holmes won player of the game honours for Guelph, while Gottselig got the nod for the X-Women.

The 45-21 final score sends the Guelph Gryphons through to the national semifinal on Friday at 4 p.m. against the top-seeded Victoria Vikes. STFX will face Ottawa on Friday at 11 a.m. in the consolation semifinal game.

-30-

Nike Team Players of the Game

GUE: Addy Holmes
STFX: Courtney Gottselig

Scoring summary

FIRST HALF
9'         GUE - Try Taylor McKnight (Grace Jacklyn conversion)                                            
23'       GUE - Penalty Try                                                                                                                        
27'       GUE - Try Grace Jenkins (Grace Jacklyn conversion)                                                     
31'       GUE - Try Addy Holmes  

SECOND HALF
41'        GUE - Try Addy Holmes (Milla Sayavongsa conversion)                                              
43'        STFX - Try Skye Koyote (Katie Murphy conversion)                                                        
49'        GUE - Try Milla Sayavongsa
53'        STFX - Try Courtney Gottselig (Alison LeBlanc conversion)                                         
59'        GUE - Try Tausani Levale (Milla Sayavongsa conversion)                                   
67'        STFX - Try Jessie Penney (Alison LeBlanc conversion)