WATERLOO, Ont. - Coming off their highest win total in 20 years, Laurier will begin the 2026 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women's rugby season on September 5 against the Toronto Varsity Blues at University Stadium, part of the six-game regular schedule released Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Hawks continue to trend upward under head coach Eric Ciezar, who enters his third season leading the program following a season in which he guided Laurier to one of its most successful campaigns in recent memory.

Laurier opens both its season and home schedule against Toronto before embarking on a stretch that sees the Golden Hawks play three of their next four games on the road.

That run begins with a visit to the Royal City on September 11 to face the Guelph Gryphons, who advanced to last year's OUA championship game.

Consecutive road trips follow after a home date against York, with Laurier travelling to London to face the Western Mustangs on September 25 before taking on the defending OUA champion Queen's Gaels in Kingston on October 3.

The match-up against Queen's carries added significance, as it marks a rematch of last season's OUA semifinal, which the Gaels won en route to the conference title.

Laurier wraps up the regular season on October 10 when it hosts the Trent Excalibur on Senior Day at University Stadium.

Admission is free for all Golden Hawk home games.

Fans can sync the team's schedule to their smartphones and electronic calendars at https://laurierathletics.com/sports/womens-rugby/schedule/2026