The Gaels nearly dethroned the five-time defending OUA champions at Nixon Field. The Guelph Gryphons held on for the 10-6 victory on Saturday in a defensive showdown.

A Gaels-Gryphons round two matchup could happen next weekend at the CIS national championships.

“I think [the loss] stung because we wanted this so bad, but I think we’re proud about [our performance],” said Gaels second-year number eight Jordyn Rowntree. “We came out here and showed [Guelph] what we’ve got.

“I think they’re scared.”

Guelph’s Caitlin Beaton scored the game’s only try in the fifth minute of play. Third-year lock Bronwyn Corrigan scored all of Queen’s points on two penalty goal conversions.

The Gryphons’ high-powered offense was stagnant most of the game, failing to swing the ball wide and make any deep runs into Queen’s territory.

Guelph’s 10 points was the team’s lowest output of the season. Prior to Saturday, their lowest offensive showing came in a 41-0 shutout of the Western Mustangs.

“Defensively, we played extremely well,” Gaels head coach Beth Barz said. “I know that Guelph hasn’t seen a defence like that in quite some time.”

Any speculation about the Gryphons’ untouchable status can ultimately be put to rest after the narrow victory. Barz said the final score speaks for itself.

“There’s always a message to be seen in a score — sometimes it’s clear and sometimes it’s not,” she said. “I think that people have been waiting to see what the score looks like so they can gauge the relative strength of both teams.” Queen’s now shifts their focus to the CIS National Championships hosted by St. Francis Xavier next weekend in Antigonish, N.S. Their pool includes number one-ranked St. FX, as well as the RSEQ champion Concordia Stingers.

Team health is Barz’s top priority for nationals.

“We just need to recover,” she said. “If we can bring [today’s] intensity and a couple of key points we have for attack and defense, then we should be A-OK.”