Valkyries continue to write great feel good story

Nine time WWCFL champs show sports at its best

The Valkyries celebrate with the WWCFL championship trophy.

The Saskatoon Valkyries have created a space where all feels right with the world.

Definitely, all feels right in the world of the powerhouse Western Women’s Canadian Football League club. The results on the field have certainly proven for that to be true.

On Sunday at Leibel Field in Regina, the Valkyries claimed their ninth WWCFL title downing their provincials rivals the Regina Riot 36-21 in the WWCFL Championship Game. The victory was the 33^rd in a row for the Saskatoon side that went 6-0 overall in 2024. The Valkyries last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

The Valkyries coaches pose with the WWCFL championship trophy.

For the second time in team history, the Valkyries have won four straight WWCFL titles. They took the league title in four straight seasons from 2011 to 2014, which were the first four campaigns of the WWCFL’s existence.

The Valkyries overcame a unique challenge in their current run of winning four consecutive WWCFL championships. The run started with a 25-3 WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Riot on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium.

Kelsey Murphy returns an interception for the Valkyries.

The 2020 and 2021 campaigns were lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries did manage to play a three-game exhibition series against the Riot in 2021 winning all three of those contests.

When the WWCFL returned to regular action, the title wins continued for the Valkyries. On June 25, 2022, the Valkyries downed the Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the league title game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Another WWCFL championship came on June 24, 2023 as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the league title contest held at Griffiths Stadium.

The roll kept going this past Sunday with the Valkyries most recent victory against the Riot.

Alex Wojcichowsky has been with the Valkyries since 2013.

Saskatoon’s success can be attributed to the togetherness of everyone on the club. In a current world where the word “division” has become the defining characteristic of society, the Valkyries provide a space where acceptance is the defining characteristic.

It is the place where the Christian Catholic, the person in a same sex relationship, the African-American, the individual from an Indigenous background, one with Asian cultural roots and various other defining cultures and characteristics all play together. On top of that, everyone becomes best friends and family.

Unfortunately in today’s world, it is becoming more common where some in those backgrounds don’t want you interacting with others outside of the group that defines your characteristics away from the game. In some spaces, those that do are considered very, very bad people.

Alex Eyolfson has played QB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The Valkyries provide the example of where sport can bring everyone together. The family feeling on the team is one of main things that keeps bringing a core group of players together to train during the times of the COVID-19 shutdowns when it wasn’t clear when the team would next play in a real game.

The storied Saskatoon club has hit a point in its history where players from the Valkyries inaugural campaign in 2011 are coaches with the club in co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Marci Halseth, defensive line coach Beth Thompson and linebackers coach Beth Lalonde. Jaime Lammerding, who also an original Valkyries player, is on the team’s board of directors overseeing fundraising, and Rienna Rueve, who joined the Valkyries in their second campaign in 2012, is a defensive backs coach.

Emmarae Dale has suited up at MLB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The players that were once kid youngsters starting their first years after high school graduation are now veteran leaders. That includes Alex Wojcichowsky who has continuously been with the team since 2013 playing centre through most of that time and also serving for a short stint as a trainer.

The list of those who were once youngsters and are now veterans includes defensive back and kick returner Kelsey Murphy, who has played with the Valkyries since 2014, and receiver Reed Thorstad and left tackle Alyssa Funk who have both suited up with the Saskatoon side since 2015.

Haley Girolami has made big plays for the Valkyries since 2019.

The 2016 class of newcomers included quarterback Alex Eyolfson, receiver Ricki Obed and middle linebacker Emmarae Dale. These days, it is hard to imagine any of those seven players were ever rookies, because they’ve all be standouts and stars on the squad for some time.

Also, current physiotherapist Jae Gorgchuk and massage therapist Lakyn Biberdorf were rookie players on that 2016 squad.

 Running back Sarah Wright and O-line standout Lauren Ferguson came to the Valkyries in 2017, defensive back Danielle Girolami first suited up in 2018, while physical defensive end Danaye Holynski and receiver Haley Girolami came on board in 2019.

Jaimyn Mantyka became the Valkyries starting safety in 2023.

Those players have helped guide the way for the newcomers who have joined the Valkyries since 2021 including Jackie Semple-Dyck, Kaylin O’Neill, Lexi Beuker, Julia Smith, Kelli Young, Marissa Glanville, Caitlyn Spurr, Teagan Craig, Jaimyn Mantyka, Arden Kliewer, Kennedy Mann, Jacey Harris, Grace Farthing, Emry Halbgewachs, Sydney Schenn, Brenanna Allegretto, Mykayla Laroque, Kate Boyer, Mackenzie Young and Halle Hindmarsh and a host of other players.

The Valkyries also welcomed back veterans in 2024 who had past good runs with the team in defensive backs Shaylyn De Jong and Phelycia Black and Shae Dixon on the D-line.

Saskatoon has also benefitted from having stability at the head coach position. Jeff Yausie, who is also the long time defensive coordinator of the CJFL’s venerable Saskatoon Hilltops, was the Valkyries head coach from the team’s inception in 2011 through to 2016.

Teagan Craig made big plays as a rookie running back this season.

Pat Barry joined the Valkyries as a position coach in 2014 and has served as the team’s head coach since 2017. The continuity at head coach has allowed the family feeling culture on the Valkyries to continue and allows for consistency in the schemes and strategies the team uses on the field.

Also, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Wyatt Carleton usually gives some of the best pump up talks and speeches.

While there might seemingly be chaos in the world away from the game, the Valkyries continue to provide an uplifting spot for female players that want to continue or give tackle football a try. Another spinoff is a number of the Valkyries players give back coaching minor football in the community helping to bring their positive culture influence to that level of the game.

Rookie LB Jacey Harris enjoys her first WWCFL title win.

The Valkyries championship success on the field comes from all these numerous things taking place behind the scenes that builds a great forward momentum. When they capture another WWCFL championship, it really does feel for a short time in that moment that all is right with the world.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Girolami sisters power Valkyries to WWCFL championship

Saskatoon wins fourth straight league crown, ninth overall

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy for a ninth time.

REGINA, Sask. - If the Reklaws were in town, they would be singing “Long Live The Night” for the Saskatoon Valkyries and the Girolami sisters.

On  CFL home opening Sunday in Regina, most in the Saskatchewan capital were whooping up a 36-20 victory by the Roughriders over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium.

Out on the southeast corner of town, the Valkyries were putting up highlights at Leibel Field that would first perfectly for a music video of the hit tune by the Canadian country duo that has become a theme song for Canada’s storied professional football Loop. Taking on their provincial rivals in the host Regina Riot in the WWCFL Championship Game, the Valkyries stormed out to a 26-0 lead at halftime and would prevail 36-21.

The Valkyries celebrate their WWCFL title win.

Sisters Haley and Danielle Girolami combined for three touchdowns in the Valkyries’ first half surge that pretty much sunk the Riot. Haley caught two touchdown passes, with one starting the scoring in the first half and the second concluding the scoring in the first half.

In between Haley’s scores, Danielle, who is standout defensive back, returned an interception for a touchdown for the Saskatoon side.

With Sunday’s win in the books, the Valkyries have now won the last four consecutive league titles. They finished the 2024 campaign with a 6-0 overall record, while the Riot finished out at 3-3 overall.

The Valkyries DBs poses with the WWCFL championship trophy.

“It feels so good,” said Haley. “I honestly don’t even know what to say.

“It feels so good to win four in a row. It feels super good.

“Our team is just amazing.”

“Obviously, I think this one was pretty special,” said Danielle. “When you can go four in a row, and I have my sister beside me and my cousin (Valkyries safety Jaimyn Mantyka) beside me, so it is kind of a whole family affair.

Haley Girolami (#17) secures her first of two TD catches on Sunday.

“I can’t complain. This one feels pretty good.”

Saskatoon has won nine WWCFL championships overall dating back to the circuit’s start in 2011.

The Valkyries also pushed their overall winning streak out to 33 games. Saskatoon’s last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

Before Sunday’s clash, the two clubs last met in the WWCFL title game on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries took that encounter 25-3 in a campaign where they were playing to honour the memory of their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1 of that same year.

Danielle Girolami returned an interception for a TD on Sunday.

Sunday’s contest started 35 minutes late due to lightning flashes in the area. When it came time to kick off after the delay, the clouds in the sky above Leibel Field cleared up leaving a strong wind blowing from south to north of the facility.

The Valkyries had the game’s first possession and put together a long drive against the wind that stalled on a third-and-one gamble at the Riot 18 yard line. The Riot countered with a short drive with the wind that stalled when the hosts failed to convert a third-and-three gamble giving the ball up on their own 49 yard line.

The visitors proceeded to drive the 49 yards down the field, and that series was capped with Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hitting Haley Girolami with a 10-yard touchdown pass down the right sidelines for a 7-0 lead.

The Valkyries defence gang tackles Riot R Bethany O’Toole.

“We knew we had to come out early and come out strong,” said Haley. “Just to set the tone early, I think it just gives the team energy, and we took the momentum from there.”

Saskatoon took the 7-0 edge into the second quarter. At the 2:04 mark of the second quarter, Valkyries kicker Grace Moehler nailed a 29 field goal with the wind to push Saskatoon’s lead out to 10-0.

Just a little over three minutes later, Danielle Girolami made a huge play that gave the Valkyries command of the contest for the rest of the night. With the Riot pinned deep in their own end, Danielle intercepted Regina star quarterback Aimee Kowalski and ran the ball back 10 yards for a touchdown to give the Valkyries a 17-0 advantage.

Aimee Kowalski was named the game MVP for the Riot.

“They just ran an out, and I was lucky enough that when I went to kind of block it, it just popped up right into my hand,” said Danielle. “Thankfully, I was nice and close to the end zone, so I got to run it in.

“It was pretty exciting. It was my first pick six of the career, so I can’t complain.”

A short time later, the Riot were pinned again in their own end forcing the hosts to concede a safety, which increased the Valkyries lead to 19-0.

With 22 second remaining before halftime, the Valkyries added another dagger, when Eyolfson hit Haley Girolami with another 10-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors their 26-0 lead at halftime.

The Valkyries celebrate a second TD catch from Haley Girolami.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased to see the Girolami sisters come through with three major scores.

“They’re great people,” said Barry. “They come from a great family.

“Haley and Danny, I’m big fans of theirs. I’m just so pleased that they are on our team. I hope they continue for many years.”

At the 5:04 mark of the third quarter, Moehler nailed a 23 yard field goal with the win to push the Valkyries advantage out to 29-0.

The Riot proceeded to get on the scoreboard with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter, when Kowalski hit receiver Jocelyn King-McGillivary with a seven yard touchdown pass to trim the Valkyries edge to 29-7.

Danielle Girolami makes a tackle for the Valkyries.

With the wind in the fourth quarter, any hopes the Riot had of making a miraculous comeback were dashed about seven minutes into the frame. The hosts muffed a punt return deep in their end of the field, which the Valkyries recovered on the Regina one yard line.

Running a wildcat formation, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright took a direct snap and would hit star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who was lined up as a tight end, for a one-yard touchdown toss to put the Valkyries up 36-7 with 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Riot closed out the contest with Kowalski scoring a pair of one-yard touchdowns on quarterback sneaks to round out the 36-21 final score in favour of the Valkyries. On the first major with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Riot failed to score a two-point conversion, when a Kowalski pass fell incomplete.

Alex Eyolfson threw two touchdown passes for the Valkyries.

On the second major with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Riot scored a two-point conversion, when Kowalski connected on a pass to King-McGillivary.

After the Valkyries ran out the rest of the clock with a pair of kneel downs after recovering a Riot onside kick attempt, Barry was pumped his squad captured a fourth consecutive WWCFL title.

“It is so sweet,” said Barry. “I talked to the players before the game to go out and do something remarkable today, and I think they did.

“To win four championships in a row is incredibly rare. I’ve never been a part of anything like this before. I’m so happy and so proud of these players.”

The Valkyries celebrate a TD catch from Emmarae Dale.

The Valkyries earned a spot in the WWCFL final by routing the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal at home last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. One day earlier, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 on the road at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta.

In the Valkyries WWCFL title win over the Riot at Leibel Field, veteran defensive back Kelsey Murphy had an interception for Saskatoon.

Defensive back Kat Neigum had a pair of interceptions for the Riot, while defensive back Keilyn Howie had a single interception.

Haley Girolami (#17) was the Valkyries game MVP.

Haley Girolami was named the game MVP for the Valkyries. Kowalski took game MVP honours for the Riot.

The Valkyries also won four straight WWCFL titles in the circuit’s first four years of existence from 2011 to 2014. The Girolami sisters helped the Valkyries win all of their current run of four straight WWCFL championship victories with Haley joining the Valkyries in 2019 and Danielle becoming part of the team in 2018.

Both were overjoyed to help the Valkyries win four straight WWCFL crowns.

“It just feels so good,” said Haley. “It is more special, because it is a family.

“We are with our family, and it is the best team you could imagine in the world.”

The Valkyries soak in a fourth straight WWCFL championship.

“My very first year was the first year we lost,” said Danielle. “Obviously, it was not a great feeling, but to go and win and just continue that and to make it four in a row, I don’t really have any words to say how good it feels, and how excited I am for this team.

“I’m just pumped, speechless.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Valkyries overcame adversities in perfect 2023 campaign

QB Alex Eyolfson (#15) calls a play in the Valkyries’ huddle.

In no particular order, leadership, depth and coaching saw the Saskatoon Valkyries through to a perfect season in 2023.

Saskatoon’s powerhouse women’s football team never seemed to lose a step navigating towards an 8-0 overall record. The Valkyries concluded the campaign on Saturday blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium.

The win marked the third consecutive time the Valkyries claimed the WWCFL title and the eighth time overall since the league’s inception in 2011.

The Valkyries were challenged along the way in 2023. On May 14, they traveled to Winnipeg and grinded out a 26-14 victory over an inspired Manitoba Fearless side. On June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries had to hold off their provincial rivals the Regina Riot 19-9 in the Prairie Conference final.

Michelle Duchene, left, has put in countless hours building female football. 

As the Valkyries were going about their business in a convincing win over the Rage, another realization hit looking at the Saskatoon sidelines at Griffiths Stadium on Saturday. There were some important star players helping out on the Valkyries bench area wearing their game uniforms over their street clothes.

That was a sign that those players were kept out of game action due to various injuries. Some of those players who were out missed a sizable part of the campaign due to their injuries.

HC Pat Barry and his staff have kept the Valkyries rolling.

Arguably, the biggest missing player was star fourth year receiver Haley Girolami, who might be the best pass catcher in the women’s game in Canada. In the Valkyries regular season opening 34-7 win over the Riot on May 7 at SMF Field, Girolami hauled in nine passes for 111 yards and one touchdown.

She was so impressive in that game one wondered just how good of a season she was going to have in 2023. Just seven days later in the Valkyries road win over the Fearless, Girolami was lost for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The Valkyries were also without star receiver Rachelle Smith for the entire regular season and post-season. The WWCFL veteran is a big time playmaker who was on all three of the Riot’s WWCFL title winning teams before joining the Valkyries for their WWCFL Championship season in 2019 and has remained with the Saskatoon side since.

The loss of Haley Girolami to injury was a big blow to the Valkyries.

On defence, star linebacker Jamie Wingate missed the entire regular season and post-season due to injury. Her absence left a sizable hole on the defence.

Rookie defensive back Kaylin O’Neill went down with a leg injury in the Valkyries regular season win over the Fearless. Savanna Spendiff was excelling in her first year playing on the Valkyries offensive line, but she went down with a knee injury in the Prairie Conference final win over the Riot.

Those types of injuries would have put any other team’s championship aspirations on ice. The Valkyries were able to march on due to their depth.

QB Alex Eyolfson gave positive leadership to the Valkyries offence.

That depth partially came from the work of the only general manager the Valkyries have ever known in Michelle Duchene and the countless hours she has spent building women’s football in Saskatoon. The female flag football system operated through Saskatoon Minor Football has helped funnel players to the Valkyries. Duchene’s leadership helped make that possible.

The Valkyries coaching staff under the direction of head coach Pat Barry has brought newcomers up to speed quickly when it comes to learning the game. That has helped build the Valkyries depth.

Emmarae Dale, left, gave upbeat leadership to the Valkyries defence.

Barry is aided by an astute staff that includes defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and Marci Halseth and Jack Sloboda, who shared in the offensive coordinator duties. The coaching staff has ensured new players are ready to step in and make an impact when injuries happen.

On the field, the Valkyries have been able to rely on the leadership of a couple of players who joined the club as youngsters in the team’s 2016 WWCFL title winning campaign in quarterback Alex Eyolfson and middle linebacker Emmarae Dale.

Sarah Wright continued to pile up big yards for the Valkyries.

Right from when she joined the Valkyries, Eyolfson has and continues to radiate a vibe that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright even if things go wrong. She quickly mastered guiding an offence, and she might be the best quarterback in the women’s game in Canada.

Dale immediately displayed an uplifting vibe and a positive demeanor. She still displays an explosive athletic ability that turns heads and saw her join the CJFL’s storied and historic Saskatoon Hilltops for the 2021 campaign. Dale might be the best in the women’s game in Canada today.

The presence of Eyolfson and Dale everything on the field stays sorted out and in order. They were aided by a good core group that has been together since 2019.

Makayla Sader has become part of the Valkyries core group.

On offence, the Valkyries were still able to turn to star running back Sarah Wright and veteran star pass catchers Ricki Obed and Reed Thorstad to make plays. The offensive line is anchored by four star veterans in right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, centre Alex Wojcichowsky, left guard Lauren Ferguson and left tackle Alyssa Funk.

On defence, Danaye Holynski continues to create havoc for the opposition at defensive end. The defence has been bolstered with a couple of veteran receivers switching over to defensive back in Kelsey Murphy and Danielle Girolami.

The Valkyries are progressing to the point where a large group of players in their second and third years with the team can now be considered as steady veterans who are part of the core group. That group includes receiver/kicker Grace McCorriston, running back/kicker Drew Lundquist and utility player Arden Kliewer.

Grace McCorriston (#82) has become a solid receiver and kicker.

Defensive back Makayla Sader, linebackers Jackie Semple-Dyck, Kennedy Mann and Sydney Schenn are now part of that core group too along with Emry Halbgewachs and Grace Farthing on the defensive line. 

Returnee defensive tackle Carla Stevenson has become part of that core group too. She helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in their second year of existence in 2012, took a leave of absence from the team before rejoining the club in 2021.

Rookies came through for the Valkyries too in 2023. Brianna Hammett on the offensive line, Michaella Applin on the defensive line, Mykayla Laroque at cornerback and Jaimyn Mantyka at safety all stepped in to give the Valkyries big performances.

Thanks to leadership, depth and coaching, the Valkyries were able to overcome some fairly key injuries and preserver in a couple of tough games that could have sent the season in another direction. The undefeated Valkyries ended becoming better in their journey of overcoming the adversity they faced.

The Valkyries celebrate a third straight WWCFL title on Saturday.

It is expected they will return a strong core of players in 2024. That should give them a good start in their quest for a four-peat, which the team accomplished in the WWCFL’s first four years of existence from 2011 to 2014.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Valkyries on cusp of last dance for 2023 season

Saskatoon aims to win third straight WWCFL title Saturday

Sarah Wright is having another big season for the Valkyries.

It will all be about taking care of business in the present for the Saskatoon Valkyries on Saturday.

The Valkyries are set to host the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is looking to win a third consecutive league title with the previous wins in this run coming last year and in 2019.

The WWCFL’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in 2021.

On top of going for a third consecutive title, the Valkyries are trying to win their eighth league title in team history having joined the WWCFL in its inaugural campaign in 2011.

With the Valkyries having so much success in their history, head coach Pat Barry was asked how special this opportunity was for the team’s rookies like defensive back Mykayla Laroque. Barry didn’t want to discount how important it is to have the opportunity to play in the WWCFL’s title game for everyone on the team’s roster.

QB Alex Eyolfson aims to lead the Valkyries to another WWCFL title.

“It is special for all of us,” said Barry. “You never know when you are going to get back.

“We do have a lot of new people on our team, especially in our defensive backfield. “Rocky” (Laroque) is one of them. I was sort of counting on our roster earlier in the year, and more than half of our team never played in 2019.

“It is a pretty young team actually that we have here.”

The Valkyries head into this contest having won their last 26 games in a row including two forfeit victories. Their last loss game way back on June 24, 2018, when they dropped a 14-10 decision to the Riot in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Saskatoon has a 7-0 overall in the 2023 campaign.

The Rage enter the WWCFL title game with a 4-1 overall record. Their lone loss came in a pre-season game in Calgary on April 22, when they fell 50-2 against the Valkyries.

MLB Emmarae Dale (#45) keeps piling up big plays for the Valkyries.

Calgary’s only appearance to date in the WWCFL final came back on June 10, 2017 taking on the Riot at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a neutral site clash. The Rage turned the ball over 10 times in that contest and were blanked 53-0.

Despite what has transpired in the past, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright believes her team can’t be going into the WWCFL title clash thinking everything is going to fall into place. Wright said the Valkyries want to come out and play their best.

“Big last game, (and) we’re excited,” said Wright. “We played Calgary in our pre-season game.

“We’re excited to see them back in the final and to show why Saskatchewan football is so good.”

The Valkyries defensive unit is good at swarming to the ball.

Last year, the Valkyries dumped the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the WWCFL title game held at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The last time a WWCFL title game was held at Griffiths Stadium was way back on July 5, 2014, when the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0.

The Valkyries enter this year’s WWCFL title game loaded with talent. Star quarterback Alex Eyolfson is in her prime.

Along with being able to look to Wright and Drew Lundquist to make big plays in the running game, the Valkyries can look to get a boost from a trio of big play receivers in Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Grace McCorriston. Star receiver Haley Girolami has missed the majority of the campaign with a knee injury and is out for Saturday’s game.

The offensive line is anchored by star veterans in Betsy Mawdsley at right tackle, Alex Wojcichowsky at centre, Lauren Ferguson and left guard and Alyssa Funk at left tackle.

Receiver Reed Thorstad (#12) can make big catches in traffic.

Star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale leads the Valkyries defensive unit. Dale’s efforts in the linebacking corps are complimented by Kennedy Mann and Jackie Semple-Dyck. Star defensive end Danaye Holynski also makes a lot of big plays for the Valkyries, while Emry Halbgewachs also brings big pressure from the defensive end spot.

Defensive tackles Carla Stevenson and Michaella Applin are tasked with taking on multiple blocks to occupy players on the opposing offensive line so their teammates can make plays.

Kelsey Murphy, who was a rookie when the Valkyries won the 2014 title, and Danielle Girolami make plays as the veteran presence in the defensive secondary. The Valkyries defensive secondary relies on athletic youngsters like third-year defensive back Makayla Sader, rookie safety Jaimyn Mantyka and Laroque at boundary cornerback.

Barry expects the Rage will be much improved since their pre-season encounter with the Valkyries in April. He is expecting his squad will be in for a physical battle on Saturday.

The Valkyries hope to have a few big play celebrations on Saturday.

“We got to play them in a pre-season game,” said Barry. “We’ll find out how the rest of their season went.

“We think we know a little bit about them. We’ll have to prepare for them. They have some very good athletes on their team, and we’ll have to be ready for them.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Defence delivers in clutch time for Valkyries

Saskatoon advances to WWCFL final with 19-9 win over Regina

Valkyries MLB Emmarae Dale takes down Riot R Shanelle Rioux.

The Saskatoon Valkyries lived out the cliché that “defence wins championships” on Sunday.

Taking are their provincial rivals the Regina Riot at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries took a 19-0 lead into the fourth quarter in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference Championship game. With a strong wind at their backs, the Riot trimmed the Valkyries advantage to 19-9 with 4:30 remaining in the frame.

The Valkyries defence shut the door at that point to make the 19-9 score to hold up as the game’s final outcome and allowed the Saskatoon side to claim the conference title. The Valkyries advance and will host the WWCFL Championship game this coming Saturday against the Calgary Rage at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

Valkyries MLB Emmarae Dale chases down Riot QB Aimee Kowalski.

“That was a really fun game honestly,” said Valkyries star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who led her squad with 10.5 total tackles in the contest. “I think we even kind of expected them to come out like that.

“We knew that they were going to get better. At the end of the season, everybody has made their tweaks. That was a big game for us defensively for sure.

“I think we stepped up in the ways that we needed to. We luckily were able to hold on at the end, so that was a really big game for us to kind of jell as a unit. I’m excited to go forward for the final.”

Danaye Holynski (#55) and Emry Halbgewachs (#52) team up on a sack.

The Valkyries built a 15-0 lead at halftime and saw their advantage increase to 19-0 in the third quarter after the Riot conceded a pair of safeties due to bad field position. While the Valkyries were seemingly in control on the scoreboard, their offence had stalled out in the second half.

In the fourth quarter, the Riot offensive unit started to get some confidence. With 7:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski hit shifty receiver Shanelle Rioux on an intermediate route.

Rioux proceeded to juke her way past a host of Valkyries defenders on her way to a 37-yard catch and run touchdown play to cut the host side’s lead to 19-7.

Valkyries DT Carla Stevenson tackles Riot RB Bethany O’Toole.

The Riot proceeded to recover an onside kick. The Valkyries defence stopped the Riot offence on the ensuing series forcing a punt.

With 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Valkyries conceded a safety due to be trapped in bad field position trimming their advantage to 19-9.

On their ensuing series, the Riot drove to the Valkyries 35-yard line, where they turned the ball over on downs. Regina had one last series on offence, but turned the ball over on downs at the Valkyries 50-yard line with less than 40 seconds remaining on the clock.

Valkyries DB Sydney Beaudette stops Riot QB Aimee Kowalski.

As the Riot were out of timeouts, the Valkyries were able to run out the clock with kneel downs to finalize the 19-9 outcome in their favour.

“It is hard to beat a team three times in row,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “We mentioned that to our team a lot, and it came true today.

“Regina is a good football team, one of the best teams in the country, and they are well coached. They were prepared. We are happy with the win.

“We have a lot of things to fix up for next weekend.”

Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright said there were some nerves once the Riot got a touchdown, but she was confident her team’s defence was going to shut the door at that point.

Sarah Wright (#88) runs in a touchdown from two yards out.

“There were nerves a little bit, but honestly, we have the best defence in Canada I would say,” said Wright. “We always have our faith in them, and they always come out on top.

“We can always rely on them.”

Dale was proud of how her defensive unit rebounded after Rioux made her long touchdown reception.

“Those are the moments in a football game that are do or die,” said Dale. “You have to step up.

“Either you break from the pressure, or you do step up and make magic happen kind of thing. It was intense. It was nice to actually have a look like that in the season.

Sarah Wright carried the ball 23 times for 131 yards and two TDs.

“I think it was good to see that our defence can step up to that kind of pressure and those kinds of situations. We were able to adapt and handle it.”

The defences on both sides ruled the first quarter of Sunday’s contest as the game was scoreless after 15 minutes of play.

Just 59 seconds into the second quarter, Wright ran home a score from two yards out on a toss play to the right side of the field to give the Valkyries a 7-0 lead.

With 6:20 remaining in the second quarter, the Valkyries inched their lead up to 8-0 from a single on a 29-yard missed field goal attempt from kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston.

Shanelle Rioux caught 8 passes for 88 yards and one TD.

The Valkyries pushed their advantage out to 15-0 with 3:12 remaining in the second quarter, when Wright ran a toss play to the right side of the field into the end zone on a long 46-yard romp. Wright had a huge day on offense leading her team in both rushing and receiving yards.

On the ground, Wright ran the ball 23 times for 131 yards to go with her two rushing majors. Through the air, she caught three passes for 45 yards.

“We were just taking our holes hard,” said Wright, whose squad closed the regular season blanking the Riot in Regina 41-0 on June 4. “We knew that they would watch film on us.

“We knew that us showing a lot in our other Regina game in Regina they would come for us. We had to make minor adjustments, and those worked for us too.”

The Valkyries begin celebrating their conference title win.

After Wright’s long touchdown run to put the Valkyries up 15-0, that set things up where the Valkyries defence rose to the occasion to seal victory for the Saskatoon side.

Between both the regular season and post-season, the Valkyries improved to 6-0. The Riot finished out with a 3-3 record in combined action in the regular season and post-season.

Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson completed 12-of-25 passes for 119 yards and carried the ball once for 23 yards. Kowalski completed 18-of-40 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown and carried the ball three times for 22 yards.

Riot players hug after falling in the Prairie Conference final.

Rioux caught eight passes for 88 yards to go with her receiving major for Regina.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski had a pair of sacks for the Valkyries, while defensive end Emry Halbgewachs had a single sack for the Saskatoon side.

Linebacker Emilie Belanger topped the Riot with 10.5 total tackles.

Now, the Valkyries will turn their attention towards the Rage, who have a 4-0 record between both the regular season and post-season. The Valkyries go into that contest having won their last 26 games overall including two forfeit victories, and they will be looking to win a third straight WWCFL title.

“It feels really, really good,” said Dale. “It will be my first chance with the Valks for an attempt at a three-peat.

The Valkyries receive the Prairie Conference championship trophy.

“I’m really, really excited to try that. We’re all just going to keep trying to keep ourselves healthy as much as we can, but I think we are all very, very excited. We can’t wait.

“We’re excited to see what Calgary comes out with.”

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