A quick roundup of Gaels teams and athletes in action over the weekend:

MEN’S RUGBY

The Queen’s Gaels earned a silver medal in their first ever appearance at the Canadian University Rugby Championship.

After defeating the UNB Varsity Reds and Victoria Vikes in pool play, the Gaels competed in their third game in five days as they took on the UBC Thunderbirds in the national championship final. The Gaels fell to the Thunderbirds 21-10 and were awarded the silver medal.

Sunday's match caps off a 2018 campaign that saw the Gaels complete their second undefeated OUA season, win another OUA Championship and medal in the Canadian University Rugby Championship in their debut.

The Gaels knew they were in for a challenging game against a Thunderbirds team that won the national title in 2017. However, from the start of the match the Gaels showed no fear as they stood toe-to-toe with UBC.

After holding their ground defensively, the Gaels were able to move the ball up the field thanks to large runs by Sam Ibbotson and Alex Pipchuk. OUA Championship game MVP Trevor Helgason then muscled his way across the line for the game's opening score and Dylan Young converted to give the Gaels a 7-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds were good on a penalty kick and the Gaels went into the half leading 7-3.

To start the second half, the Thunderbirds moved the ball down the field and were given another penalty kick and minute later Dylan Young replied with a kick of his own to make it 10-6 

However, things began to fall apart from there as the Thunderbirds tacked on two trys and another penalty kick to bring the score out of reach.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The Queen’s Gaels (11-3-0) defeated the RMC Paladins (4-11-2) by a score of 7-2 in Saturday night OUA in men's hockey action.

The Gaels got off to a hot start with first-period goals from Slater Doggett, Nevin Guy, Luke Bertolucci and Owen Stout and never looked back. Luke Edwards added another in the second as the Paladins tried to battle back but Frankie Vilardi and Duncan Campbell scored late to wrap it up.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

The No. 10 Queen’s Gaels (8-5-0-0) wrapped up the first half of their regular season with a weekend split, beating the Laurier Golden Hawks (2-8-0-1) 1-0 and losing 5-2 the Waterloo Warriors (6-2-1-1).

On Friday, a first period marker by Addi Halladay stood up as the game winner while goalie Makenzy Arsenault made 24 stops to shut out Laurier.

On Saturday, the Gaels went up 2-0 with goals by Kaylie Dennis and Katrina Manoukarakis in the first period. Things changed drastically after the break and the hometown Warriors dominated play to score five goals.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Queen's Gaels (5-4) earned a three-set sweep against the Trent Excalibur (0-7), winning 25-11, 25-20 and 25-22.

Caroline Livingston led the way with 17 kills followed by Isabelle Korchinski with 10 kills. Saffron van der Linde) and Korchinski both finished with three service aces each while Alexandra Tsiofas added 15 digs for the Gaels.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The No. 9 Queen's Gaels (7-2) also swept the Trent Excalibur (0-7) in straight sets 25-12, 25-19 and 25-22.

Zac Hutcheson led the Gaels in kills with 10 followed by Joel Rudd with five. Dylan Hunt finished with four blocks while Rudd led the team with 15 digs.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Queen's Gaels (6-2) fell 76-64 to the Lakehead Thunderwolves (6-1) in a battle between two of the top teams in the OUA Saturday in Thunder Bay.

After a slow start the Gaels fought back but still trailed 56-46 at the half. After the break, the Gaels would score nine straight point to pull within one, but the Thunderwolves recovered, regaining the lead and held on for the win.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Queen’s Gaels (5-3) pulled out a gritty 64-58 win over the Lakehead Thunderwolves (2-5) in Thunder Bay on Friday night.

After the teams finished the first half with the Gaels up 34-33 both sides struggled in the third. Things would heat up in the fourth as the Gaels gained some breathing room. In the final two minutes, Jaz Bains hit a key jumper, followed by Tanner Graham who muscled a layup in the paint to allow the Gaels to hold on to a four-point advantage.

After Lakehead made a bucket to bring it within two, Bains was able to create some space and convert on an athletic layup to seal the game.