A successful title defence for the Trent Excalibur women’s field lacrosse team as they won the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Patterson Cup championships at Vaso’s FIeld in Oshawa on Sunday afternoon.
Trent defeated the Queen’s Gaels 10-9, maintaining a lead the entire match. It was the first victory all season that Trent had over Queen’s.
Mackenzie Manuliak led Trent’s offence with four goals while OUA all-star Avery Digiorgio scored twice. Jocelyne Lemay rounded out the Excalibur scoring with three goals.
Excalibur head coach Tori Wasson was awarded Coach of the Year while midfielder Avery Digiorgio and defender Victoria Clark were named First Team All-Stars.
“It’s all about the team, and the leadership from the student-athletes and coaches,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent University. “To come back to the pitch from an intensive training year due to pandemic to win the Patterson Cup once again and win gold in 2021 is truly amazing. We could not be prouder of our women’s lacrosse team and program. All credit goes to our coaches and student-athletes.”
Trent defeated the Guelph Gryphons 12-5 and trounced the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks 19-5 on Saturday to advance to the semifinals on day one of the tournament. They defeated the Western Mustangs 13-5 on Sunday to advance to the championship game.
“Our team worked hard for this win,” said Wasson following the gold medal victory. “I’m so proud of each player. This win was all them – the heart, getting to this point, and rising as a team is so important.”
In just eight years, the team has won the Patterson Cup three times, first in 2016, then again in 2019 and 2021. In 2018, the team won bronze at the OUA Championship.