By: Olivia Norby
The Bishop’s University Gaiters rugby teams brought their seasons to a close this October with two tightly contested games at Coulter Field. The women’s team hosted the Carleton Ravens on Oct. 9 for Senior Night, while the men’s team welcomed the McGill Redbirds on Oct. 18 for Senior Day.
Both games came down to the final moments, with the women falling 45- 40 and the men losing 40-33. The women’s team hosted the Carleton Ravens on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. for Senior Night, marking the final home game of the season for the Gaiters and their graduating players.
Photo courtesy of Megan Forbes
The matchup quickly developed into a high-scoring contest, with Bishop’s eventually falling 45-40. Olivia Norby (#11) opened the scoring for the Gaiters, followed by tries from Allison Skeggs (#13) and Jovanna Lan Baxter (#2).
Norby added her second try of the game before Joelle Benoit (#20), and Marie-Pierre Gnassounou Akpah (#1) rounded out the Gaiters’ six tries. Stella Tutino (#15) converted five of the team’s tries, keeping Bishop’s within striking distance throughout the match.
With the score still within reach late in the game, the Gaiters continued to pressure the Ravens. The match came to an end following a knock-on penalty by Carleton, sealing the 45-40 result in favour of the Ravens.
Despite the loss, Senior Night provided an opportunity to recognize the graduating players and celebrate their contributions to the program.
Senior player Marie-Pierre Gnassounou Akpah reflected on her time with the Gaiters: “Looking back on this season and my time with the Gaiters, I’m most grateful for the people I’ve met along the way. Rugby has challenged me, helped me grow, and given me friendships and memories that I’ll carry with me long after graduation. While the season wasn’t without its challenges, I’m proud of the way our team continued to show up and compete. Being part of this program has been a meaningful chapter of my university experience, and I’m excited to see what the next generation of Gaiters will accomplish!”
The men’s team closed out its season on Oct. 18, hosting the McGill Redbirds at Coulter Field for Senior Day at 3:15 p.m.
Like the women’s game, the men’s matchup was decided by a narrow margin, with McGill taking the game 40-33. The Gaiters remained competitive throughout the afternoon, scoring five tries.
In the first half, Gabin Armandie (#6), Alexander Bubyn (#12), Kai Hucal (#11) and Matisse Labrenz (#14) all crossed the try line. Michael McGuinness (#7) added the Gaiters’ final try in the second half.
Mitchell Darby (#9) contributed four successful conversions as Bishop’s kept pace with the Redbirds.
The game ultimately came down to the final play. McGill scored at the end of the match to secure the 40-33 victory, bringing the Gaiters’ season to a dramatic close.
Photo courtesy of Maude Charlebois
For the graduating players, the game marked their final appearance at Coulter Field in a Bishop’s jersey. Senior player Jeremy L’Heureux reflected on a season defined by adversity, particularly injuries, while looking ahead to the future of the program.
“This season wasn’t quite the way I hoped to finish my senior year. Despite our record, this team showed resilience through a season filled with adversity, particularly injuries. Our results don’t fully reflect who we are as a program or what we’re capable of, and it’s tough knowing we let games slip away that we could have won. Still, this team is in good hands, with many players stepping into key roles and ready to put in the work this offseason. The Gaiters’ future is bright, and I’m confident we’ll bounce back quickly. I’m proud to have been part of this program and grateful for the teammates, friendships, and memories I’ll carry with me long after my time here.”
Although neither Gaiters team was able to finish its season with a victory, both final home games showcased the competitiveness of Bishop’s rugby. The women battled Carleton through a 40-point performance, while the men remained within one score of McGill until the final play.
For the graduating players, the games marked the end of their time representing Bishop’s at Coulter Field. For the returning Gaiters, the offseason now provides an opportunity to build on the experience gained throughout the season and prepare for the next chapter of the program. As both teams move forward, the legacy of this year’s graduating players will remain part of the foundation for the next generation of Gaiters.
