This past weekend, the Golden Hawks competed in the Guelph Tournament, facing off against four other university ringette teams in their first tournament of the new year.

Thursday night, Laurier engaged in a fierce match against the Guelph Gryphons, ending in a 7-3 defeat. Although it was not the outcome they had hoped for in the first game of the tournament, the Hawks displayed commendable perseverance, scoring all three of their goals in the second half of the game. Rachel Bettke, first-year goalie, deserves recognition for her outstanding performance throughout the entirety of the game.

Friday's late-night game at 10:15pm didn't deter Laurier as they triumphed over Laurentian with a 6-4 score. This marked the first encounter between the two teams, showcasing strong performances at both ends of the ice. A special mention goes to Kaylyn Downer, a fourth-year center, for her hat-trick that proved to be essential in securing this victory.

Saturday's showdown against Nipissing was a nail-biter, with the Golden Hawks securing a 2-1 victory after seizing the lead in the fourth period. Their unwavering effort and high spirits kept the momentum alive until the final seconds, with Ashton Kemper, a first-year forward, scoring the game winning goal.

Heading to the last round-robin game, the Hawks understood the importance of securing a win against the Carleton Ravens to advance to the semi-finals. Despite a valiant effort, Laurier fell short with a 3-1 loss. The game remained thrilling to the end, with second-year goalie Emma Stewart making a crucial penalty shot save to keep the score close. Ultimately, the Ravens secured second place after a tough 10-3 loss to Western in the finals.

Despite the varied outcomes, the Hawks demonstrated unwavering determination and remarkable teamwork throughout the weekend and are excited to meet these teams again. They eagerly anticipate their next challenge at Provincials in Waterloo, scheduled for the first weekend of March.

If you're interested in supporting the club, you can make a donation through the Adopt-A-Hawk program.

Written by Emma Stewart