The Université Laval Rouge et Or concluded their dream season on Sunday with a convincing 22-5 victory over the Queen’s Gaels to win the gold medal at the Canadian rugby championship in Victoria.
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Undefeated in the RSEQ with a second consecutive provincial title, the protégés of François Vachon-Marceau concluded their perfect season by signing three victories at the national level to get their hands on the second Canadian title in the history of the program after that of 2019. it is also a perfect first season.
This victory also had a flavor of revenge. Last year, Laval lost in the semi-final against these same Gaels and had to settle for the bronze medal. Seeded national number one team, the Gaels were aiming for a second consecutive national title.
“It’s a mega accomplishment, launched the head coach hired on an interim basis due to the departure of Kévin Rouet to the national team at XV. This is the first time that we have managed to win the RSEQ and Canadian titles in the same year. I’ve been on the program for a long time and I knew we had the band to do it. »
Player par excellence
Author of 28 points in three games, including 12 in the final thanks to four penalties, Audrey Champagne received the title of player par excellence of the tournament. “I feel really good, but none of this would have been possible without everyone’s hard work,” she said. I will remember the team victory and not the individual victories. It is an indescribable moment. »
“In the pre-season game, we set the tone by beating Queen’s by the score from 38 to 0, to add Champagne, and we showed today [dimanche] that we were the best team. It’s been a year since we had the defeat against Queen’s on our hearts. »
In addition to Champagne, Gabrielle Piquer, Andréanne Valois, Léa Ouellet and Corinne Fréchette have been selected to the championship’s all-star team.
feeling of revenge
Player par excellence of the final, Fréchette abounded in the same direction. “Our loss in the semi-finals last year served as our motivation,” she underlined. It feels good that all the work we’ve done over the past year has been rewarded. We went into overdrive because we didn’t want to miss our shot. »
“There’s nothing more satisfying than giving up only five points in the final,” continued Fréchette, who was also named to the first team of all stars in the country. They couldn’t do anything in the first half. We knew we were betting on the best defense in the country and we proved it. Defense has always been the identity of the team. It’s defense that wins championships. »
Profitable decision
After a season in France where she played in the professional ranks, Rosalie Lepage-Tremblay decided to return home in order to use her last year of eligibility. Andréanne Valois made the same decision. Both were elected to the first all-star team in the country, as were Anaïs Gilbert and Marie-Pier Fauteux.
“It’s the best decision I’ve made,” she said. I am so happy. Coming back to Laval for one last year, it was clear that I wanted to win everything. I also wanted to have a great group experience. Mission accomplished in both cases. »
If his university career is over, Lepage-Tremblay has no intention of hanging up his cleats. “It just makes you want to keep going,” she said. I’m going to celebrate with the girls this week and I’m going back to France next week. The French championship begins at the beginning of December. I want to grow rugby in Quebec. »
The Rouge et Or are on the national podium for the fourth time in the past five years. The Lavalloises won silver in 2017.