The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's lacrosse team earned a provincial bronze medal on Sunday (Oct. 27) morning, defeating the Trent Excalibur 11-9 in the 2024 OUA Championship bronze medal match.

The provincial medal marks the first for the Blues since 2017, when they also captured bronze. The victory also marked the first win for the Blues over the Excalibur since that bronze medal season in 2017.

"This medal has been years in the making for some of the girls on the team, rising one ranking over each of the last four years," detailed Varsity Blues head coach Jesse Porter. "It is a reflection of the connection, energy, and dedication this team has put forward everyday."

U of T earned their spot in the final four of the showcase tournament after going undefeated in pool play on Day 1 of the championship, with a win over host Brock and draw versus Trent. Qualifying for the semifinal round, U of T fell to the eventual OUA champion Queen's Gaels, sending them into another battle with the Excalibur for the third step on the podium.

In a third showdown versus Trent this fall, the two teams continued to be an even match for one another. Delivering back-and-forth action at Kiwanis Fields, Toronto held a slight 6-5 advantage at the end of the first half. That is when the Blues were able to turn up the action in the second half utilizing exceptional transition play to pull ahead. Additionally, second-year goalie Elizabeth McDonald turned aside the Excalibur in critical moments of the match, including a game-clinching save with just 50 seconds remaining.

"Liz played an amazing game," said Porter. "Composure was the aim of our game and we saw some incredible offensive and defensive sets. And even though we lost a majority of the draws in the game, our goalie and defence turned around the ball to create chances for ouf offence".

Guiding the Blues offence in the win, Keira Gowan registered a team-high four goals. Rheanna Swanson added a hat-trick for U of T, including what would be the game-winner early in the fourth quarter. Both Holly Bureau and Isabella Ward rounded out the Blues goal-scorers with a pair of markers each.

Porter was honoured for her teams effort, being awarded the OUA's Coach of the Year. As well, Blues fifth-year defender Leah Hickey was named an OUA all-star.