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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