Women's Rugby | 9/26/2026 8:43:00 PM

On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field, the York University Lions women's rugby team gathered for a day that carried significance beyond the result on the scoreboard. With six graduating players honoured during the team's Senior Day ceremony before kickoff, York welcomed the Trent Excalibur for a match between two teams still searching for their first win of the season. 

The Lions entered the afternoon at 0–3 after opening their campaign against Queen's, Western and Laurier, while Trent also arrived without a victory following losses to McMaster, Waterloo and Brock. With both sides looking to change that, the match provided York with an opportunity to turn its home field into the starting point for a late-season push. 

Before the game, York recognized graduating seniors Stephanie Draycott, Sahrena Gordon, Cecilia Martino, Alanna Mrkobrada, Jahlesha Roye and Athena Slater. 

Once the game began, the Lions came out aggressively. Mistura Are opened the scoring just over two minutes into the match, with Rachel James adding a conversion to give York a 7–0 advantage. Trent responded four minutes later with a try from Claire Sherrifs, but York quickly regained control. Are crossed the line again in the 14th minute before Abbey Spiteri added another try seven minutes later. Are completed her third try of the afternoon in the 27th minute, extending York's lead to 28–5. Trent answered before halftime through Emelie Ruales, who scored in the 35th minute to bring the Excalibur within 18 points heading into the break. 

Trent came out of halftime looking to close the gap, with Keira Makinnon scoring in the 55th minute. York responded through Mya Barton shortly afterward, keeping the Lions comfortably ahead at 35–15. The Excalibur continued to push, as Anna-Claire Young scored in the 64th minute, with Claire Sherrifs adding the conversion to make it 35–22. 

York answered once again through Are, who recorded her fourth try of the afternoon in the 66th minute. Young added another try for Trent in the 76th minute, but the Lions continued to create opportunities of their own. Roye then crossed the line in the 79th minute, putting a fitting stamp on Senior Day. Spiteri followed with another York try at the 80-minute mark to seal the victory for the Lions. 

The final whistle confirmed a 52–27 York victory, giving the Lions their first win of the 2026 season. The result also continued York's success against Trent after the Lions defeated the Excalibur 64–31 at Alumni Field last season. Roye scored four tries in that match, and she found the try zone again this time around as York picked up an important home victory. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

York will now take its first win of the season on the road when it travels to face the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday, October 4.