WINDSOR – The #5 nationally ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks lost their second game of the season – this time to the Windsor Lancers – 38-29 to finish the season 6-2.
Laurier finishes second in the OUA and receives a bye through the first round of the playoffs as a result of the tie-breaking procedures which place the team ahead of McMaster and Windsor, who also have 6-2 records.
The Golden Hawks scored 22 points in the third quarter but the damage was already done as Lancer Glenn MacKay caught three touchdown passes on his four catches of the day – two of them in the first half of the game. OUA rushing leader Daryl Stephenson was held to 104 yards on the ground, but caught three balls for 57 yards and Windsor's other touchdown of the game.
The Hawks had all four of their turnovers in the fourth quarter – not allowing them to close the three point gap. 15 penalties for 140 yards added to the Hawks' challenges throughout the game.
"In spite of the penalties and physical and mental mistakes our kids fought back from 22-7 in the first," said Manager of Football Operations and Head Coach
Gary Jeffries. "We'll now look forward to the bye week and resting up our guys as we await our opponent in the semi finals."
Third year running back and special teams' player
Steve Turner put the Hawks' first points on the board on a 99-yard kick-off return. The special-teams points were the first for the Hawks since Windsor traveled to Laurier in 2004 and
Andy Baechler returned a punt 58 yards for a major.
Baechler, who has made big plays all season - did so today. The team's leading receiver caught eight balls for 153 yards and two of Laurier's touchdowns. Quarterback
Jamie Partington (Stoney Creek) connected to seven other receivers on the day, totaling 23 completions on 38 passes for 353 yards.
"As disappointing as it is to lose, it was good for us to feel the loss and reflect on our mistakes today as we prepare for the playoffs," said Baechler.
Hometown running back
Ryan Lynch carried seven times for 30 yards before
Brodie Legein of Hamilton replaced him due to injury and carried 12 times for another 51 yards.
Yannick Carter (Pickering) led all defenders with eight tackles and both of the Hawks sacks in the contest.
The Hawks now wait to play the highest-seeded winner of the quarter finals between Queen's and McMaster or Western and Windsor. Game time of the semi-final at University Stadium will be 1:00 p.m. on November 4th. Tickets for the contest are available online at www.laurierathletics.com as well as on Laurier's campus at the Laurier Bookstore (Concourse), C-Spot (FNCC) and Hawk Shop (Athletic Complex).
