OTTAWA, Ont. - Making their first appearance at the Canadian National University Championship since 2019, when they advanced to the final, the Laurier Golden Hawks dropped a 2-0 decision to the Queen's Gaels on Thursday in their pool-play opener.

Entering the tournament as OUA silver medallists, the Golden Hawks received another strong pitching performance from starter Aiden Tonge but were unable to generate enough offence against the Queen's staff.

Queen's broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Colby Wilhelm doubled home a run. The Gaels added an insurance marker later in the contest and made the slim lead stand up behind seven shutout innings from starter Mack Rabeau.

Tonge was tagged with the loss despite allowing just two runs on five hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked three.

Rabeau scattered five hits, struck out eight and walked one to earn the win before the Gaels' bullpen closed out the shutout.

Griffen Duenkler, Cameron Bendo, Nolan Goranson, John Banks and Lucas Bateman each recorded a hit for Laurier. The Golden Hawks were flawless defensively, committing no errors.

Laurier (0-1) continues pool-play action Friday at Carl Faulkner Field in Nepean, taking on the UNB Reds (1-0) at 10:30 a.m. before wrapping up the preliminary round against the McGill Redbirds (0-1) at 6 p.m.