The York University Lions women's rugby team advanced to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) semifinals for the first time in program history on Friday night with a 34-24 victory over the Brock Badgers in their conference quarter-final game.
 
The game was a back-and-forth affair in which the Lions finally exploded for three straight tries in the second half to pull ahead en route to the victory. After playing in 10 quarter-final matches since 1994, including in each of the last five years, the Lions finally got over the hump and will make their first semifinal appearance next weekend.
 
The Lions had six players score a try in the game and Natasha Naismith kicked a pair of conversions.
 
Tobi Owotomo opened the scoring in the seventh minute, but the Badgers responded nine minutes later with a try by rookie Taylour Hurd. The sequence repeated itself again before the end of the first half when Legerton scored a try that was followed by Kaylah Moehling only minutes later. Both teams kicked successful conversions and the game was tied 12-12 at the half.
 
The two teams fought for field position to start the second half until the Lions started taking control after a few minutes. They were finally rewarded in the 53^rd minute on a try by Catherine Belanger, and the Lions controlled play for most of the next 12 minutes and tacked on tries by Megan Pakulis and Jodi Stewart to put the game out of reach.
 
One more try by Sasha Seymour and one each by Lauren Wilks and Niamh Haughey rounded out the scoring.
 
The Lions will now face the defending OUA champion and undefeated Guelph Gryphons in the OUA semis next Saturday in Guelph, with a spot in the conference final on the line. With Friday's win over the Badgers, the Lions have also secured their spot in the top division for next year.