GUELPH, Ont. - A revamped - and very young - Laurier men's rugby squad opened their season on the road in Guelph on Saturday afternoon. While they provided some pushback, the Golden Hawks couldn't topple the three-time defending OUA champions in a 52-17 defeat.

The meeting at the same site was also a rematch of last season's OUA semifinal defeat of Laurier by Guelph en route to the latter's title. 

The purple and gold came into their 2024 debut also very green, with 32 of their 49 rostered players in just their first or second year.

It was a rookie counterpart for Guelph who did a lot of the damage early as the Gryphons opened up a 31-0 advantage, led by three tries by rookie Liam Bowman of Mississauga, Ont. before the Golden Hawks could even get on the board.

Fourth-year business major Ben Foote stepped up to provide a veteran presence by getting Laurier on the score sheet with the team's opening try. He added one more as the Golden Hawks touched down for three of the next four to cut Guelph's lead to 38-17.

Any momentum was soon cut short as the OUA champs boosted their lead with two more late tries to seal the victory.

Laurier (0-1) will now aim to regroup before their home opener against Western (1-0), who defeated the RMC Paladins 46-3 in their season opener.

The Golden Hawks will take to the pitch at Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium on Sunday, September 15 at 3:30 pm. Admission is free.