WATERLOO, Ont. - Saturday marked the official 2023 home opener for Laurier women's rugby with Trent University being the foe of the day for our Golden Hawks. The team made the long trip to Peterborough last year, coming away with a 44-12 loss and was determined to turn the tables this year. They would do just that, in a 24-10 win at University Stadium.

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day with fans in attendance buzzing from the closely contested Laurier-Guelph men's game that had just finished prior to kick-off. 

The Golden Hawks took the field with focus and determination - and it showed from the first scrum where Trent was sent backwards. The message sent: Laurier was here to play. 

Hits were plenty - and hard. Laurier was sending a message that if you wanted the ball it was going to come at a price - and asking the question who was willing to pay it? Trent put their collective hand up and said, "Yes, we will" by opening the scoring in the corner after a sustained drive. 

Immediately following, Laurier said, "I'll see that" and Taylor Bulgin, working off an offload from Eden Lohr, scored for the purple  and gold to tie the game.

Trent was not one to go away. Despite a clear scrum dominance by the Golden Hawks, they continued to press through some hard running forwards and outside speed in their backs, slotting another try before the break to go into the sheds leading in a game where Laurier could claim an edge on everything but the scoreboard.

The halftime chat was simple. Trust each other. Trust the process. Trust yourself. 

It was noticeable immediately out - with some major impact substitutions. Sammi Hessels came on for her first cap as a Golden Hawk and immediately changed the tempo of the game; opening with a big hit on the sideline and following up with a slicing and dicing 40 yard run. 

This energized the forwards as Jaylyn Kirwan and Janeen Burke started to exert physical pressure and Sadie Moorehouse ran a couple straight up the field. This run of play eventually ended with a maul on the goal line and Laurier pushing. A pull down by Trent resulted in a penalty try for Laurier. 

Hessels continued to impress in the backfield, connecting with Abby Byers for more long runs and offloads. 

Kristen continued her defensive lead role, pushing Trent back and into the ground time and time again. 

Not to be outdone, Syden Gielen and Eden Lohr combined for tackle after tackle while Lohr also showed off her hands and running with one-handed catches and "Sonny Bill" offloads. This continued to pay off, as Bulgin went in for her second try of the day and later converted her own kick. 19-12 Hawks. 

But they weren't done - and the backs decided they wanted some fun. Heidi Bagshaw whipped out some wide ball that enabled Kaia Grant and Dajka to attack with, almost breaking the line until the Hessels-Byers connection totally broke Trent and Byers went in for her first OUA try putting Laurier up 24-10. From there, they were comfortable in securing the home win and first victory of 2023.

Player of the Match, for her second consecutive game, was Bulgin with 14 points.

Hessels was awarded "Bench Supreme", while Burke was Forward of the Match and Dajka Back of the Match. 

Laurier's next match is against the York Lions on Sunday, September 17 at University Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12pm.