WATERLOO, Ont. - Although the day began with overcast skies, as the noon kickoff between the Laurier Golden Hawks and the York Lions approached, so did the sun, welcoming our Golden Hawk student-athletes and alumni with open arms. 

The stands were filled with enthusiastic fans and the Golden Hawks took the field with determination, ready to defend their home turf following their victory against Trent the previous week.

The game got off to a slower start, with Laurier and York trading possession and tackles in the opening minutes. Laurier's relentless pressure eventually paid off when Eden Lohr executed a brilliant line drive, breaking through the York defenders to score the game's first points. 

As Taylor Bulgin calmly slotted the conversion, the energy on the field and in the crowd soared. The defence, led by players like Lohr, Sophie McLean, Kaia Grant, and Kristen Dajka, continued to thwart the Lions' advances.

A remarkable line break and run orchestrated by Sammi Hessels and Liv Davis led to the forwards taking charge deep in York's territory once more, and once again, Lohr bulldozed her way through two defenders to score. With Bulgin's successful conversion, Laurier was up 14-0.

As halftime approached, the crowd rallied for one more score to carry them into the break, and it was delivered in spectacular fashion. Paige Hallett's nimble footwork, in her first appearance of the season, set the stage for Dajka to release Hessels for a line break, who then passed it to Liv Davis. Davis showcased her elusiveness, skillfully navigating the Lions' defence to score her first OUA try right under the posts with an impressive dive. 

Bulgin added an easy drop goal, sending the Hawks to the halftime break with a 21-0 lead and momentum on their side.

The halftime discussion was concise: maintain focus, stay connected, stay unified, and execute the fundamentals effectively. The focus was primarily on defence, knowing that a solid defence would set the tone for the offence.

The team responded admirably, with contributions coming from all corners of the field, both on offence and defence. Notable moments included Sadie Moorehouse's powerful runs and crucial double tackles, Rachel "Smitty" Smith's determination to gain yards, and Jaylyn Kirwan's repeated line-breaking runs. 

Charleigh Goldberg efficiently managed the playmaking duties, while Danya McLean and others ensured the set pieces remained solid.

The Hawks' commitment to their game plan paid off as tries began pouring in from various players. Bulgin added to her impressive kicking performance by scoring a try, and Morgan Longley secured her second try of the season. 

The younger players, known as the "Baby Hawks", also left their mark on the game. Grant secured her first OUA try with a strong run, and Davis, not content with just one try, danced her way to her second. 

Heidi Bagshaw maintained control at flyhalf, Rachel Graham continued to probe the defence, and Cali Wylie anchored the scrum. 

Hessels put the cherry on top with a long-range try, and Sophie "I'll Play Anything McLean" capped off the day with a breathtaking try, out-running two York defenders into the end zone.

When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 51-0, and the faces of both alumni and players radiated joy and satisfaction.

Hessels was rightfully named the Player of the Match, as voted by York, for her exceptional performance, leading the attack with line breaks and stunning offloads to her fellow runners. 

The Laurie alumni recognized the outstanding contributions of Grant, awarding her Back of the Match for her first OUA start and impressive try, and Lohr, who put on a remarkable performance with two tries and countless tackles, earned Forward of the Match.

Longley received the Stanley Toolbox "Hard Worker of the Week" award for her dedication and hard work, both in training and during the game.

With a short turnaround this week, the team is gearing up for a 4 p.m. kickoff against Western on Friday. Laurier will also aim to win three consecutive regular season matches for the first time since 2005. 

Be sure to follow the team's Instagram page for updates.