An incredible opening day of the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship was capped off with the host Queen’s Gaels defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 33-26 in the fourth quarterfinal match at Nixon Field on Wednesday.

The national tournament brings together the eight best women’s rugby teams from across the country. It’s the first time Queen’s has hosted the event since 2015.

In the day’s other matchups the Ottawa Gee-Gees beat the St. Francis Xavier X-Women 40-12; the UVic Vikes topped the Guelph Gryphons 21-10; and the defending champion Laval Rouge et Or downed the Acadia Axewomen 46-12.

The Gaels face the Rouge et Or in Friday’s semifinal at 7:30 pm and the Gee-Gees and Vikes will square off at 5 pm. The winners of these matches will play for the national title on Sunday at 3:30 pm. All games are at Nixon Field.

Tournament passes and tickets can be purchased here. The tournament is being livestreamed on CBC Gem and CBCSports.ca.

The Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship will take place Nov. 24-28. Tournament passes are on sale now.

Visit the Queen’s Gael’s website for updated scores and more information on student-athletes and events.

Gaels Game Recap

Queen’s jumped out to an early 14-0 lead with tries by Maddy Kushner, and Hannah Daniels, which were both converted by Sophie de Goede.

After UBC cut the Gaels’ lead in half, de Goede scored and converted Queen’s third try of the game.

UBC would respond again before Jaden Walker added a try late in the first half to give Queen's a 26-14 lead at half time.

The Thunderbirds would score the first two tries of the second half to even the score before Bridget Peros scored late, and de Goede converted, to give the Gaels the seven-point win.