WATERLOO, Ont. - The #8-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks opened the 2026 Ontario University Athletics women's rugby season in dominant fashion on Saturday, defeating the Toronto Varsity Blues 67-21 at University Stadium.

Laurier wasted little time making an impression in its home opener, taking the lead less than a minute into the match when Kyra Walker crossed the try line just 50 seconds after kickoff.

Toronto responded midway through the opening half as Bem Marie Parrenas scored a try and Adele Church added the conversion to give the Blues a brief 7-5 advantage.

The Golden Hawks quickly regained control. Bridget Maxwell restored the lead in the 18th minute before Abbey Tape added another try 10 minutes later. Faith Peev capped the first-half scoring just before the break as Laurier carried a 22-7 advantage into halftime.

The hosts put the game out of reach with a relentless second-half attack, scoring nine tries after the restart.

Cait Croft led the offensive charge with two tries, while Maxwell added her second major of the afternoon. Natalie Madill, Zuhri Pierre, Audrey Gill, Victoria Matteis and Hailey Vanhooft also found the try zone in the second half.

Walker was a key contributor throughout, scoring a try and converting six times for 17 points. 

Toronto managed a pair of second-half tries from Church and Maya Shapira, but the Blues were unable to slow a Golden Hawks side that consistently won the territorial battle and capitalized on its scoring chances.

The Golden Hawks' 11 tries and 67-point outburst established a new program record, eclipsing the previous mark of 63 points set in 2017.

Laurier (1-0) returns to action on Friday, September 11, when they travel to Guelph for a 7 p.m. match-up with the Gryphons at Varsity Field.