Valkyries already thinking WWCFL title four-peat

The Valkyries O-line crew poses with the WWCFL championship trophy.

As the realization of a three-peat settled in, the Saskatoon Valkyries already had visions of a four-peat dancing in their heads.

On Saturday, the Valkyries concluded their 2023 campaign with a perfect 8-0 overall record blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium. The win allowed the Valkyries to improve their overall winning streak to 27 games including two forfeit victories and capture the WWCFL title the last three times it has been up for grabs including 2022 and 2019.

Alex Eyolfson fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries.

The WWCFL title wasn’t contested in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world. In the 11 times a WWCFL champion has been crowned since the league’s inception in 2011, the Valkyries have claimed eight of those titles.

Now, the Valkyries have their sights set on winning a fourth consecutive WWCFL title in 2024. Saskatoon won the WWCFL title the first four times it was awarded from 2011 to 2014. Star running back Sarah Wright, who has played in the Valkyries last three WWCFL championship winners, said it hasn’t been hard to keep the motivation fresh going into each new season.

“I think we all do in a sense,” said Wright, who has been with the Valkyries since 2017. “I think we’ve got the best core group of girls that all are so competitive that want to get the next championship.

Sarah Wright (#88) has piled up big yards as the Valkyries star RB.

“We all feed off of each other, so I think it has never been an issue. We kind of keep each other up to that elite level.”

The Valkyries run of three straight WWCFL title wins has been powered by the fact they have strong group of veterans who have played for a number of years. Alex Eyolfson has been the team’s regular quarterback since her rookie year in 2016, when the Valkyries won their fifth WWCFL title. She has become a star as her playing career has gone on.

She is surrounded by a good veteran crew in Wright and talented group of receivers that includes Haley Girolami, Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Rachelle Smith. Girolami and Smith were out with injuries for most of the 2023 campaign.

Alyssa Funk has been a stellar left tackle for the Valkyries.

The Valkyries offensive line has a quartet of veteran stars in Alyssa Funk, Lauren Ferguson, Alex Wojcichowsky and Betsy Mawdsley.

Saskatoon’s defence has been anchored by star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who joined the squad in 2016. Defensive end Danaya Holynski and defensive tackle Carla Stevenson have provided the Valkyries valuable experience. Kelsey Murphy and Danielle Girolami both started out as receivers before converting to defensive back, but have shown their versatility for a long time.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said the veteran presence helps, but the Valkyries have also benefited from newcomers who have joined the team each year and have been quick learners.

Valkyries star MLB Emmarae Dale makes tonnes of big plays.

“We have leadership,” said Barry. “I’ve mentioned before more than half of our team wasn’t on the team in 2019 when this run started.

“It is pretty exciting.”

Barry said the Valkyries still faced adversity even with being undefeated this season. During the regular season, the Valkyries traveled to Winnipeg on May 14 and battled out a 26-14 victory against an inspired Manitoba Fearless side.

The Valkyries also had to hold off their provincial rivals the Regina Riot 19-9 in the Prairie Conference final held on June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in another tough outing.

“We had a 10-point game (against Regina in the Prairie Conference final),” said Barry. “Earlier in the season, we went to Winnipeg and had a very close game with them.

The Valkyries defence was pumped to get a shutout on Saturday.

“Those are challenges, but they were able to achieve their goals.”

Wright said the Valkyries don’t settle for anything less than reaching the top. She said the feeling after a championship win is still an ultimate topper that gets better as the title count grows.

“I think it just keeps getting sweeter,” said Wright. “We’ve been making a really good core group, and it is just so much fun to play with all of them.

“We’re always so excited for the next year.”

Grace McCorriston (#82) boots a 21 yard field goal on Saturday.

Wright said the players on the Valkyries usually start thinking about next season fairly quickly. She said the majority of the players on the team play in adult flag leagues, and that helps keep the tackle season on everyone’s mind.

“A lot of us play a lot of flag, which is awesome,” said Wright. “It kind of keeps us kind of in shape and obviously thinking football all throughout the summer and winter.

“When we come back to Valkyries, you can just tell how much it translates over.”

Barry said the Valkyries will star holding training sessions in January to start preparing for the 2024 campaign. He said they would like to get an early exhibition game in that would double as a team bonding trip in part way to the lead up to the 2024 WWCFL season.

The Valkyries celebrate a second TD on Saturday from Ricki Obed (#28).

“We’re hoping to do maybe an interesting trip somewhere,” said Barry. “We’re not sure where.

“We might go somewhere hot in the winter time and play an exhibition game. That is our goal.”

While attention is turning towards 2024, Wright is still soaking in the accomplishments from 2023.

“The next one is always the best one,” said Wright. “I’m so proud of our team.

“They (the coaches) said something like 160 days we’ve been playing together this year, so it is so nice to come win 40-nothing on our last one.”

Nose surgery didn’t keep Sader from WWCFL final

Makayla Sader came up with two turnovers on Saturday.

Makayla Sader was pumped to finish her 2023 season with the Saskatoon Valkyries on the field.

Following the team’s first three regular season games, Sader had surgery on her nose for a non-football related medical issue. The third year defensive back resumed regular practice in the week leading up to the WWCFL final.

On Saturday, Sader took the field starting at her customary boundary cornerback position wearing a visor on her helmet. She recorded an interception, one fumble recovery and one solo tackle in her team’s 40-0 victory over the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium.

The win marked the second time Sader was a part of a WWCFL title win with the Valkyries having helped the storied squad win a league title last year.

“This year was hard for me having that nose surgery, because I did miss the last few weeks,” said Sader. “Involvement wise, it was hard to be around the last few weeks before championship, but definitely, I think the DBs got closer as a team as we progressed through the season.

“We all became super close. Defence is always all buddy, buddy and best friends.”

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased to see Sader return and have big game.

“It was exciting,” said Barry. “Makayla just came off of a surgery on her nose.

“She had a visor on. We were awful worried about her, but yeah, I’m just pretty proud of how touch she is.”

Sader said she got winded after getting hit on her seven-yard interception return against the Rage. Still, she said that play gives her a great story to tell for years to come and a championship winning day she will never forget.

“It was definitely worth it,” said Sader. “I think that was my first pick.

“It fricken felt awesome. I can’t wait to get another one.”

Girolami’s switch offence to defence results in memorable pick

Danielle Girolami (#10) runs back an interception on Saturday.

Danielle Girolami showed she still has a good set of pass catching hands in the WWCFL Championship Game.

Girolami started out as a receiver with the Valkyries in 2018. She developed into an accomplished pass catcher helping the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2019.

Following that season, Girolami switched over to defensive back as the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were ultimately lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries did play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals in the Regina Riot in 2021.

Girolami debuted as a defensive back in that three-game series. As a defensive back, Girolami helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2022.

On Saturday, Girolami recorded an interception and a team leading six total tackles as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium for a third consecutive league championship.

“I have to say this one is pretty exciting,” said Girolami. “I started as a receiver, so coming over to defence, every year I think we are able to just get more confident and work together.

“To get the third win in a row, it is pretty exciting, because I don’t think it happens too often. It is great.”

While Girolami’s comfort level in playing defensive back is the highest it has ever been, she is more proud of the success the Valkyries have had as a team. For the defensive unit, she was pumped they were able to get a shutout in the WWCFL final against the Rage.

“It was awesome,” said Girolami. “We’ve been working hard all year.

“When you practice against our offence who are just great to be able to work all year and show what we have in this last game and keep them to zero was pretty great.”

Girolami is no stranger when it comes to winning championships. Before joining the Valkyries, Girolami played defence for the Saskatoon Stars Under-18 AAA Hockey Team for three seasons from 2013 to 2016. She helped the Stars win provincial titles in 2015 and 2016.

Girolami remembers all her championship winning days and said Saturday’s win over the Rage will be one she will always recall.

“I don’t think I will ever forget it,” said Girolami. “I won’t forget this team that is for sure.”

Murphy, “Biscuit” holdovers from 2014 title win, other notes

Alex Wojcichowsky (#61) pass protects for the Valkyries.

Kelsey Murphy and Alex Wojcichowsky hold a unique distinction due to their longevity with the Saskatoon Valkyries.

On Saturday, the veteran pair of players helped the Saskatoon Valkyries win the WWCFL title blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 at Griffiths Stadium. The win gave the Valkyries a third consecutive WWCFL championship.

The two players are the only holdovers from the last Valkyries team in 2014 to win a WWCFL title at Griffiths Stadium. When the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 to claim the WWCFL title at Griffiths Stadium on July 5, 2014, Murphy was a rookie and Wojcichowsky, whose nickname is “Biscuit,” was in her second year with the club.

Murphy remained a member of the Valkyries roster since her rookie season. She started out as a running back, switched over to receiver for a number of years before becoming a defensive back. On special teams, Murphy has returned kicks for a lengthy part of her career.

In 2023, Murphy had a strong campaign that included a couple of memorable interceptions in the regular season. In the WWCFL final, the Rage mainly avoided going to Murphy’s area of the field resulting in her making one solo tackle. She returned two punts for 33 yards on special teams.

Kelsey Murphy has won five WWCFL titles with the Valkyries.

Murphy has played on five Valkyries WWCFL championship teams with the title wins coming in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Wojcichowsky started playing with the Valkyries on the offensive line in 2013. In her rookie campaign, the Valkyries captured the WWCFL title with a 27-13 victory over the Lethbridge Steel on June 15, 2013 at historic Taylor Field in Regina.

Wojcichowsky continued to play for the Valkyries finding a regular role at centre on the offensive line through to the end of the 2017 season having been a member of the WWCFL title winning teams in 2014 and 2016. She became one of the team’s trainers and was on the training staff for the 2019 WWCFL championship win.

The urge to play came once again, and Wojcichowsky suited up to play on the offensive line for the Valkyries starting with their three game exhibition series against the Regina Riot in 2021. She helped the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2022 and 2023 to be a part of five WWCFL championship wins as a player and one as a trainer.

Away from football, Wojcichowsky was a trainer for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey Team for two seasons from 2015 to 2017. For the fun fact in the Valkyries 2016 game program, Wojcichowsky said she was trying to master the art of skate sharpening referring to her role with the Huskies.

• Valkyries defensive tackle Carla Stevenson played for the team when they won their second WWCFL title with a 64-21 victory in the league championship game on July 14, 2012 at Griffiths Stadium. Following that season, Stevenson departed the team and rejoined the Valkyries after a lengthy absence in 2021 for their three-game series against the Riot. Stevenson proceeded to help the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2022 and this past Saturday.
• The Valkyries won last year’s WWCFL title game 36-6 over the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless on June 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
• The Rage’s roster on Saturday contained two of the all-time greats in women’s football in Canada in Erin Walton and Lisa Gomes. Walton has played running back, quarterback, receiver and on the offensive line during her lengthy career. She suited up for Canada at the International Federation of American Football’s Women’s World Championship tournaments in 2010 and 2013. Gomes played running back for most of her career. She has also been a receiver and played defence. She represented Canada at the IFAF Women’s World Championship tournament in 2017. Canada won silver medals in the 2010, 2013 and 2017 tournaments.
• In the Valkyries 40-0 WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Rage on Saturday, the Valkyries had a 311-62 advantage in net offensive yards. The Valkyries also had a key edge in the punt return game that helped set up some short fields. They had 100 total yards in punt returns, while the Rage had 29 yards on punt returns.
• Valkyries star left tackle Alyssa Funk got to carry the ball once for three yards in Saturday’s WWCFL Championship Game win. Funk first started playing with the Valkyries in 2015. She was a member of Canada’s teams that played at the IFAF Women’s World Championship tournaments in 2017 and 2022. Canada won silver in 2017 and fell 19-17 to host Finland in the bronze medal game in 2022.
• The Valkyries had a number of alums turn out to Griffiths Stadium on Saturday to watch their 40-0 victory over the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game. One of the alums that made the longest trip was former receiver/kicker Carly Dyck, who came from Lethbridge, Alta. Dyck, who is from Lethbridge, started playing for the Valkyries in 2015 when she was attending the University of Saskatchewan. Dyck remained with Valkyries through the end of the 2018 campaign. She helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2016 with an 81-6 victory over the Edmonton Storm in Lethbridge. Dyck played for Canada’s silver medal winning team at the IFAF Women’s World Championship in 2017. Before joining the Valkyries, Dyck played three seasons from 2012 to 2014 for her hometown Lethbridge Steel.

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Valkyries’ Day – Saskatoon snowballs momentum for third straight WWCFL title

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy in celebration.

Winning WWCFL championships never gets old for the Saskatoon Valkyries, and neither does going on game-changing runs of momentum.

Taking on the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium, the Valkyries made the Alberta side pay a huge price for the mistakes they made. The Valkyries rolled three key Rage miscues into a 21-0 lead just 80 seconds into the second quarter of the league championship clash.

Saskatoon proceeded to cruise to a 40-0 victory from that point to claim a third consecutive WWCFL title and their eighth league championship in team history.

Makayla Sader returns an interception for the Valkyries.

“It is a credit to our team,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “Our athletes, they work so hard.

“We were talking about it before the game. January is when we start. Here at the end of June, we got to our goal, and we were successful.”

The Valkyries claimed their previous league championships in the run of three consecutive wins last year and 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.

Saturday’s victory allowed the Valkyries to conclude their 2023 campaign with a perfect 8-0 record overall. The Valkyries have won their last 27 games in a row including two forfeit victories.

Danielle Girolami intercepts a pass for the Valkyries.

“It gets better every year for sure,” said Valkyries defensive back Makayla Sader, who enjoyed her second straight WWCFL title win with the Saskatoon powerhouse club. “I just say it gets more and more exciting.

“Just with the group of girls that I am with and just constantly growing as a team and DBs always having new girls coming and vets going, it is just awesome to always have a good group of ladies to win with.”

At the start of Saturday’s title tilt, the Rage defence came out with an inspired start. The Valkyries had the game’s first offensive possession, and the Rage forced the Saskatoon side to punt after two plays.

On ensuing punt play, the Rage special teams unit was flagged for having too many players on the field giving the Valkyries a first down. The Rage defence came back out on the field and forced the Valkyries defence to punt again after two plays.

Sarah Wright runs in her first of two touchdowns on the ground.

Calgary proceeded to face a punting situation after two plays on its first offensive possession. At that point, the Valkyries momentum began to gather up force.

After a bad snap, Calgary punter Jolene Goulard corralled and fell on the loose ball at her team’s own three yard-line.

Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a touchdown from three yards out to put the host side up 7-0 at the 3:40 mark of the first quarter.

Later in the first quarter, Goulard looked like she would put a halt to the Valkyries momentum blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt by Saskatoon kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston. Goulard was hurt on the play, but only missed a short spurt of game action.

Morgan Lindstein sets to throw a pass for the Rage.

Her missed time included a punt play on the Rage’s ensuing possession. Rage utility player Erin Walton came in to punt, but her kick was a medium-ranged one that the Valkyries were able to return inside the Calgary 20 yard-line.

The Valkyries capped the ensuing short offensive possession with a second three yard touchdown run from Wright to push the host side’s advantage to 14-0 with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter.

“Obviously, there are always some (pre-game) nerves, and I think that is something that is a part of every good team,” said Wright, who has been with the Valkyries for their last three straight WWCFL title wins. “You’re always preparing for what the other team is bringing, and we know Calgary is a hard team.

Alex Eyolfson fires her second of two touchdown passes on Saturday.

“They come and hit hard. We prepared for that, and we showed what we could do.”

Early in the second quarter, Sader intercepted Rage quarterback Morgan Lindstein to set the Valkyries up inside the Calgary 50 yard-line. The Valkyries ensuing offensive series concluded with star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hitting star receiver Ricki Obed with a 37 yard pass-and-run touchdown reception to increase the Valkyries lead to 21-0.

Sader admitted her interception helped push the Valkyries momentum to another level.

Ricki Obed goes into the end zone on her second TD reception.

“I definitely got winded, but the interception itself it had me going,” said Sader, who had a fumble recovery for the Valkyries in the win. “It had all the ladies going.

“As soon as we got one, our next goal is to get at least two picks. It just riled everybody up to just keep fighting for it, and we did. We got them.”

When Goulard got back into the game, she had to deal with another bad snap on a punt play that went into the Rage end zone. She managed to kick the ball out the back of the end zone giving up a safety to allow the Valkyries lead to grow to 23-0.

With 2:20 remaining in the second quarter, Eyolfson connected with Obed on a 14-yard touchdown toss to push Saskatoon’s lead out to 30-0.

Part of the crowd at Griffiths Stadium that came to cheer on the Valkyries.

In the third quarter, Valkyries defensive back Danielle Girolami intercepted a Lindstein pass and set up the Saskatoon offence inside the Calgary 40 yard-line. Girolami had a team leading six total tackles to go with her interception. With that noted, she was pumped to get her interception.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Girolami, who has also been with the Valkyries for their last three straight title wins. “I wanted one all year.

Emmarae Dale (#45) makes one of her five tackles for the Valkyries.

“To make it in the championship game is obviously a pretty special feeling.”

Girolami said she would have liked to have returned her interception for a touchdown and didn’t realize she accidently stepped out of bounds on the run back.

“I was just so excited,” said Girolami, who won two Saskatchewan female under-18 AAA provincial hockey titles playing defence with the Saskatoon Stars in 2015 and 2016. “I saw Emmarae (Dale) blocking for me, and I just knew with her in front of me I would have kept going.

“I think I got too excited to know where I was on the field. I was just too excited, and I was looking ahead of me. I knew Emma had my back, and I just go too excited.”

Emry Halbgewachs (#52) had a sack for the Valkyries.

Following Girolami’s interception, the ensuing Valkyries offensive series was capped by an 11-yard touchdown run by standout running back Drew Lundquist to put the Saskatoon side up 37-0 at the 5:56 mark of the third. McCorriston booted home a 21 yard field goal attempt before the third quarter ended to round out the 40-0 final score.

The contest ended in the fourth quarter with Lindstein heaving up a desperation pass that was intercepted by Valkyries rookie defensive back Sarah Zeng.

Eyolfson completed 18-of-34 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions for the Valkyries.

Drew Lundquist (#25) runs in for a touchdown for the Valkyries.

Wright took home player of the game honours for the Valkyries carrying the ball 10 times for 66 yards to go with her two rushing touchdowns. She also caught two passes for 27 yards. The veteran running back said the game MVP for her team could have gone to a number of her teammates on Saturday.

“It is great, obviously, but there are so many other girls who were deserving of MVP,” said Wright. “I think a lot of our defence gets missed a lot of the times.

“Danielle Girolami had a great game. Makayla Sader had a pick. There were just so many people that were really deserving of it today.”

Reed Thorstad (#12) shields the ball from a defender on a catch.

Obed topped the Valkyries with 70 receiving yards coming off five catches to go with her two majors through the air.

Lindstein was named the player of the game for the Rage accounting most of her team’s offensive yardage. She completed 5-of-11 passes for 36 yards, while throwing three interceptions. Lindstein led the Rages with 64 yards rushing coming off eight carries.

Defensive end Emry Halbgewachs had four tackles and a quarterback sack for the Valkyries. Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn had 4.5 total tackles and a quarterback sack for Saskatoon, while star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale had five total tackles.

Grace McCorriston (#82) looks to get past a defender after a catch.

Amira Harb led the Rage with five total tackles. Defensive back Hanna Hachey-Raymond had four tackles and an interception for Calgary, while defensive back Margaret May Rusteika had 3.5 tackles and an interception.

The Rage closed their 2023 campaign with a 4-2 overall record. Their other loss also came against the Valkyries in a pre-season contest in Calgary back on April 22.

Sader said her defensive unit was pleased to be able to pick up a shutout in Saturday’s game.

“It was awesome,” said Sader. “I definitely appreciate all the girls that I’ve played with along the way.

The Valkyries celebrate a third straight WWCFL title win.

“It has been a great few seasons, and I can’t wait to comeback.”

With Saturday’s win in the books, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL Championship Game the last three times they’ve played in it as the host club. They took last year’s title game 36-6 against the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless at Saskatoon Minor Football field.

Way back on July 5, 2014, the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Griffiths Stadium.

Barry said he was proud of how his team played this season, and Saturday’s WWCFL Championship Game win was a really satisfying way to end the 2023 campaign.

“It is hard to win your last game,” said Barry. “In any sport, in football, when you win your last game, it means you’ve been successful.

The Valkyries conclude the 2023 season with a perfect 8-0 record.

“It is a credit to the athletes. It is a credit to our coaching staff. It is a credit to the whole organization.

“To see all these people out at Griffiths Stadium, it takes me back to the old days of this team. It is kind of exciting.”

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Sader finds her groove on Valkyries defence

Saskatoon closes WWCFL regular season at 4-0

Makayla Sader (#8) is making her mark with the Valkyries defence.

For Makayla Sader, it was worth the wait to finally join the Saskatoon Valkyries.

Growing up just north of Saskatoon in the centre Martensville, Sader took part in all sorts of sports. She focused on figure skating for a time in her childhood years, and she took part in basketball, soccer and track and field in high school.

Out of all the sports she participated in, one sport interested Sader to the point she wanted to continue it past high school.

“In high school, I played flag, and I really liked it,” said Sader, who is a Valkyries defensive back. “I actually injured my knee, and I needed surgery.

“I kind of took a few years off, but I did want to play Valkyries. Because of my knee injury, I was scared, because it is contact.”

On Saturday night, Sader and the Valkyries closed out their WWCFL regular season schedule downing the Regina Riot 33-14 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Sader had four total tackles and fumble recovery in that encounter with the Riot. 

The Valkyries already had first place in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference locked up going into Saturday’s contest and now exit the regular season with a 4-0 record. Saskatoon will host the Winnipeg Wolfpack (0-3) in a WWCFL quarter-final at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Sunday, June 12 at 1 p.m.

The Riot fall to 1-3 to close the regular season and will finish third in the Prairie Conference. They will travel to Winnipeg to face the Manitoba Fearless (2-1) in another WWCFL quarter-final at a date and time to be announced.

The Fearless and Wolfpack meet on Sunday in Winnipeg to close the respective regular season schedules for both of those clubs.

Back in 2018, Sader graduated from Martensville High School, and due to focusing on healing up her knee, she elected to not join the Valkyries in 2019, when they won their sixth WWCFL championship in team history. 

Makayla Sader (#8) was a Valkyries running back in 2021.

The 2020 WWCFL campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

The Valkyries were able to get back on the field in 2021 taking on the Regina Riot in a three-game exhibition series. Sader’s boyfriend and fellow Martensville product, Carter Dyck, joined the Valkyries as a position coach for that three-game exhibition series.

Dyck, who member of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops in 2018, convinced Sader that the three-game series with the Riot would be an excellent time to join the Valkyries, and she dressed as a running back for that three-game set.

“It is a good group of girls to play with for sure,” said Sader, who stands 5-foot-6. “I felt very welcomed.

“I liked how high intensity it was. I didn’t know what to expect if it was going to be more slack, or if it was going to be pretty aggressive. It was actually a pretty aggressive team, which was awesome.

“Everybody gives a 100 per cent effort, and that is what I really liked about it.”

In the second game of that series played on July 16, 2021 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Sader got to see some decent action carrying the ball seven times for 38 yards and scoring one touchdown in a 42-7 Valkyries victory. The playing time she did receive gave her the itch to return to the Valkyries in 2022 for a full WWCFL campaign.

“I just really wanted to try like an actual season,” said Sader. “Last year wasn’t really a season.

“We played three games against the same team in Regina. I think we really only had like maybe two months of football.”

At first, the 21-year-old thought she was going to play running back in her second year with the team. Due to the fact the Valkyries were returning veteran star running backs Sam Matheson and Sarah Wright for the 2022 campaign, the team’s coaching staff was looking for a better way to get Sader on the field.

Makayla Sader (#8) is piling up the tackles on defence.

They pitched the idea to her about converting to a defensive back, and Sader jumped at the opportunity to see the field more often. Sader had her biggest outing in the Valkyries third regular season game on May 28 leading the team with 7.5 total tackles when they downed the Riot 46-7 at SMF Field.

“When you think about that, she (Sader) has played three games of defence in her life,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry about that contest. “I think she had seven-and-a-half tackles, which was unbelievable.

“That is hard to do as a defensive back. It was an impressive game she had. She is picking it up quick.

“Clovis (Lumeka) our defensive backs coach is really pleased with how she is doing.”

Sader quickly became fond of playing defence, especially the tackling and physical play on that side of the ball.

“I’m really liking it,” said Sader. “It is a lot more aggressive on that end.

“I’m not the punching bag I have to be (as a running back). Of course, I’m punching the bag, so it is way more fun.”

Barry said Sader is doing well in pass coverage too.

“In practices, she is jumping routes,” said Barry. “She is anticipating throws already, which is exciting for a young player.”

Sader said she encountered a huge learning curve during her first two games playing defensive back. She felt comfortable in the May 28 win over the Riot and was able to clue into what the Riot were doing strategically on offence.

“We just focused on a lot more on what I was struggling with in the games,” said Sader. “Honestly, the second half was a lot better for me than the first half, because I kind of figured out the team a little bit better.

Makayla Sader (#8) enjoys making big hits on defence.

“After they run a few plays, you can kind of pick up what they are doing. Something just clicked. I read the game a lot better.”

Sader also enjoys the family feeling that exist in the Valkyries team unit.

“It is sweet,” said Sader. “I feel like a lot of the sports that I played have been awesome.

“There is something about this group of girls. We’re just a lot closer and tight knit. Everybody gets along.

“I’ve never had any issues with any of these girls. I think that is huge when it comes to a group of girls. Definitely, everybody getting along and being able to play together and have a good competitive side is just huge.”

Going forward, Sader is excited to take part in her first post-season with the Valkyries. She would like to help them win a seventh WWCFL title this season.

Saskatoon is scheduled to host the WWCFL championship game on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field with an expected start time of 1 p.m.

When this season wraps up, Sader plans to continue play for the Valkyries for the foreseeable future.

“I definitely plan to come back,” said Sader. “I think I will for sure play for at least a few more years if not more than that.

“Growing up, I never had a really full aggressive sport that I had to play. Soccer was as close as it got. This is kind of right up my alley.

Makayla Sader (#8) loves the upbeat vibe the Valkyries have.

“I’m definitely coming back next year for sure.”

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 lock down first in WWCFL’s Prairie Conference

Saskatoon has monster day in the air in win over Regina

Sarah Wright (#88) is all smiles after making a second TD catch.

In football, sometimes the wide open play feels like it can be the hardest play to make.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Saskatoon Valkyries were leading the visiting Regina Riot 15-0 midway through the second quarter, when an opportunity to make a big play came calling on offence. The Valkyries called a pass play that saw star running back Sarah Wright slip out of the backfield and jet down the right sideline on a deep route.

Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson launched a long distance throw hitting Wright, who didn’t have a defender anywhere in the vicinity around her. Wright took the reception to the house for 61-yard touchdown reception to put the Valkyries up 22-0.

Alex Eyolfson threw for 434 yards and four TDs for the Valkyries.

Saskatoon rolled from there for a 46-7 victory to improve to 3-0 and lock up first place in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference with one regular season game remaining on their schedule. The Riot fell to 1-2 with the loss.

Eyolfson said she felt like that deep sideline touchdown toss to Wright was one of those plays that felt like everyone on offence was in the zone, but the signal caller admitted the potential is there to over think that situation.

“Sometimes those are hardest throws, when they are so open,” said Eyolfson. “I just saw it, and she was gone.

“It just felt right coming out of my hand, and I had lots of time. That was a fun one. I knew when she (Wright) got it she was gone.”

Sarah Wright caught seven passes for 195 yards and two TDs.

On that long touchdown toss, Wright said it can seem like the ball is in the air forever, when she was as wide open as she was. She only one thought when the ball came into her hands.

“I was just trying to make sure I didn’t drop it,” said Wright. “It was a great play.

“It was a lot of fun. It couldn’t have worked out better.”

Ultimately, the Valkyries made many big plays in the passing game in Saturday’s win over the Riot. Eyolfson completed 23-of-29 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Wright hauled in seven passes for 195 yards that included two major scores. She made an impact on the ground too carrying the ball 10 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Makayla Sader (#8) made 7.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.

Third-year receiver Haley Girolami kept the first down sticks moving for the Valkyries too hauling in eight receptions for 134 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, the Valkyries limited the Riot’s offence to 290 total yards. Regina piled up most of that total on the ground on big games from running backs Kasey McCombs and Rebekah Hove.

McCombs ran the ball 16 times for 110 yards and one touchdown, while Hove carried the rock 11 times for 119 yards.

Riot quarterback Shanelle Rioux completed 13-of-26 passes for 66 yards, while throwing two interceptions.

Defensively, defensive back Jackie Semple and middle linebacker Jamie Wingate had interceptions for the Valkyries, while third-year defensive tackle Carla Stevenson had a fumble recovery. 

Haley Girolami caught eight passes for 134 yards and one TD.

Second-year defensive halfback Makayla Sader led the Valkyries with 7.5 total tackles.

Veteran linebacker Ray-Lynn Schaffer topped the Riot with six total tackles. Defensive back Shantel Englot and Jaia Guy on the defensive line had fumble recoveries.

“I just love the tenacity and the resiliency of our team,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “They really do a good job of playing in the moment, worrying about the next play and trying to forget about the last play.

“We did make some mistakes today. I’m the special teams coordinator, and we’ve got some work to do. We have some things that we have to fix up.

“Regina has some talented players, so we have to be ready for that.”

Sarah Wright ran the ball 10 times for 84 yards and two TDs.

The Valkyries took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter off a 28-yard missed field goal single from kicker Drew Lundquist and two-yard touchdown run by Wright.

At the 5:42 mark of the second quarter, Eyolfson hit Girolami with a six-yard touchdown pass to increase the Valkyries advantage to 15-0. 

That set the stage for Eyolfson to hit Wright on the deep sideline route to push the Valkyries lead out to 22-0.

The Riot were able to get the Valkyries into some bad field position. After a bad Saskatoon punt, the Riot put together a short 29-yard touchdown drive to cut the Valkyries lead to 22-7.

McCombs capped the Riot scoring march with a 19-yard touchdown run with 1:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Kasey McCombs ran in the Riot’s lone TD.

Saskatoon responded with a well-executed two-minute drill drive capped by Wright scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown as the second quarter clock expired to give the Valkyries a 29-7 lead at halftime.

The Valkyries offensive surge continued with a 17-point outburst in the third quarter that rounded out the scoring in the contest. 

Just 1:40 into the third quarter, Eyolfson hit Wright with a short-range pass, and Wright took that reception 61 yards for Saskatoon’s third major score through the air in the contest to increase the host’s lead to 36-7.

“She (Wright) is so agile,” said Eyolfson. “She can run, catch and do everything.

The Valkyries defence limited the Riot to 290 total yards.

“It is fun to throw to her, and she can just run. She is a great player.”

Just over two minutes later, Eyolfson hit veteran receiver Ricki Obed with a 28-yard touchdown pass upping the Valkyries lead to 43-7. 

Before the third quarter expired, Lundquist hit a 25-yard field goal to round out the 46-7 final score in Saskatoon’s favour.

Due to the fact Saskatoon will host the WWCFL championship game on Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries will have home-field advantage throughout the WWCFL playoffs thanks to their first place finish in the Prairie Conference.

Ricki Obed (#28) makes a catch on her way to a TD score.

“That is huge,” said Wright. “Having the crowd with us and cheering for us, it makes the environment and the game go by a lot quicker and a lot better.

“It just brings momentum too. It is really nice to know that we’ve clinched that spot.”

The Valkyries and Riot close out their respective regular season schedules with one more head-to-head encounter. The two sides go at it again this coming Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Barry said the Valkyries will look to reset this coming week to exit the regular season with a good outing.

“We’re going to be focusing on small goals,” said Barry. “We want to make sure that people who haven’t played a lot we have to make sure they play a lot.

The Valkyries celebrate their win over the Riot on Saturday.

“Having said that, we don’t have a big roster this year. A lot of people are playing a lot, and they are getting meaningful reps in games. We want to make sure that continues.”

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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