Trent Excalibur Wins Gold at OUA Championships, North Stars Shine

BREAKING NEWS: Ryleigh Elliott and Amberly Flood, former stars of the Owen Sound North Stars, have just led the Trent Excalibur to victory, capturing the gold medal at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships this weekend. The championship match, held at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, saw the Excalibur defeat the Queen’s Golden Gaels with a decisive score of 8-4.

This victory is monumental for Trent, who entered the tournament as the top-ranked team, having lost only once during the regular season. The win not only secures their place in history but also highlights the remarkable talent emerging from the Owen Sound North Stars alumni network.

In a thrilling championship game, the Golden Gaels, led by former North Stars Kennedy Coughlin, Tara Meikle, and Kenna McKee, fought hard to defend their 2024 title but ultimately fell short. Meikle’s impressive performance included three of the Gaels’ four goals, showcasing her skill on the field.

The bronze medal match was equally exciting, featuring more North Stars alumni. The Guelph Gryphons, with Kirsten Sutter and Claire Vokes, triumphed over the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks by a score of 10-8. Sutter not only secured a bronze medal but also earned the title of OUA Most Valuable Defender and was named an OUA All-Star.

In other matches, the Western Mustangs claimed fifth place after defeating the Brock Badgers 12-5. Former North Star Reese Wilkins led the Mustangs’ offense with four goals. Unfortunately, Wilkins and her teammates, including Owen Sound graduates Courtney Scott, Leisl Stata, and Emma Bryan, faced a narrow 13-12 loss to Laurier in the quarter-finals, ending their championship aspirations.

The tournament began with an upset victory for Michelle Kocher and the McMaster Marauders against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, but they were eliminated following a second-round loss to Trent.

This weekend’s championship not only crowned new champions but also highlighted the growing impact of former North Stars players in collegiate lacrosse. As they continue to shape the sport, fans and supporters of the Owen Sound North Stars will undoubtedly celebrate this glorious achievement and look forward to the next season.

Stay tuned for more updates as we track the developments in women’s lacrosse and the achievements of these talented athletes.