NORTH YORK, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks women's rugby team kicked off their season in emphatic fashion, powering past the York Lions with a commanding 59-28 win in a back-and-forth showdown.

Laurier wasted no time making a statement. Sadie Moorhouse opened the scoring just under eight minutes in, setting the tone for a Golden Hawks attack that would prove relentless.

Jaylyn Kirwan-Moorman followed up with a try of her own at the 11-minute mark, giving Laurier an early 12-0 lead.

York responded with a try midway through the first half, but the Golden Hawks quickly regained momentum. Tries from Kaia Grant and Abby Byers pushed Laurier's advantage to 26-7. However, the Lions showed resilience, clawing back with two quick tries to narrow the gap to 26-21.

As halftime approached, Laurier's Kaia Grant crossed the line again to widen the margin, but York answered at the stroke of halftime, sending the teams into the break with Laurier holding a slim 33-28 lead.

The second half belonged to the Golden Hawks. Laurier's defense tightened and the offensive onslaught continued. Cait Croft's try early in the half restored a two-score cushion, and the Hawks never looked back.

Late tries from Natalie Madill, Mic Ferreri, and Isy Aboagye sealed the win, as Laurier pulled away for a 59-28 final.

The Golden Hawks' final points total was its largest in a single game since their season opener in 2017.

Next up for Laurier is a home opener match-up against the Western Mustangs at University Stadium.

Game time is 12 pm, and admission is free.