Returns and reunions aplenty in Valkyries 2019 finale

Aly Bell (#76) rejoined the Valkyries for a one-game cameo.

    Returns and reunions were all the rage for the Saskatoon Valkyries in their final outing of the 2019 campaign.

    On Saturday, the Valkyries hosted the Montreal Blitz in an exhibition contest at Saskatoon Minor Football Field coming away with a 39-12 victory. The win allowed to Valkyries to finish their 2019 season with a 9-0 overall record.

    It marked the first time the team played nine overall games in one season.

    As the Valkyries captured the Western Women’s Canadian Football League title 25-3 over the host Regina Riot on June 29 at Mosaic Stadium, the Saskatoon side was missing some players for the season finale due to real life pursuits.

    Thanks to the fact the clash with the Blitz was an exhibition game, the Valkyries were able to bring in players to fill in their roster. Some were former team veterans that came back for one game, four current members of the Riot came up to play for the Saskatoon side and a former WWCFL star came back for one game.

Alex Wojcichowsky (#50) returned to action to play centre for one game.

    It was cool to see the addition of these players. For the former Valkyries that came back, it showed how much the team meant to them.

    For the Riot members that came up from Regina, it showed the mutual respect that exists between the two rival sides.

    Alex Wojcichowsky, Lakyn Biberdorf and Aly Bell were the former veterans who returned to action. Wojcichowsky and Biberdorf are still active with the team in staff support roles. Wojcichowsky is a trainer and Biberdorf is a registered massage therapist.

Lakyn Biberdorf played cornerback for one game.

    Wojcichowsky played on the Valkyries WWCFL championship teams in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and Biberdorf was a rookie on the 2016 WWCFL championship team.

    Bell has been a member of the Riot since 2017. Her final season with the Valkyries was their WWCFL title winning campaign in 2016.

    She gained a lot of excitement on Saturday being on the field when the Valkyries ran a quarterback throwback pass gadget play that resulted in starting signal caller Alex Eyolfson hauling in a 23-yard touchdown reception.

    Wojcichowsky took on her former role at the centre position on the offensive line, while Bell played left guard. Biberdorf, who was a receiver when she played with the Valkyries, played cornerback.

    Ashley Clayton, Shelby Moran and Payton Kuster were the other current Riot members that came up to round out the Valkyries roster. Clayton played defensive back, Moran suited up at linebacker and Kuster played defensive back, returned kicks and took some snaps at receiver.

    Former Riot running back Carmen Agar was the former WWCFL star who suited up for the Valkyries in this contest. Agar played for the Riot from 2012 to 2018 before taking the current campaign off.

Payton Kuster (#37) makes a catch for the Valkyries.

    Agar topped the Valkyries in rushing against the Blitz carrying the ball six times for 43 yards scoring one touchdown.
    Up in the press box, former Valkyries assistant coach Chris Hengen-Braun stepped up to do the public address announcing duties.
    Before the game, the Valkyries held a moment of silence for late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a tragic plane crash on June 1.

    It is possible some of the additions to the Valkyries roster might have been missed.

    Still, it was fun to see the additions make a one-game cameo appearance, and it was obvious the current players enjoyed having them out.

Blitz QB Lacasse happy to renew Team Canada ties

Maude Lacasse (#13) jets downfield on a scramble.

    Maude Lacasse cherished the short time she was able to visit Saskatoon.

    The star quarterback for the Montreal Blitz had a strong game on Saturday, when her squad fell to the host Saskatoon Valkyrie 39-12 in a women’s tackle football exhibition match.

    Lacasse finished the contest completing 26-of-47 passes for 343 yards to go along with two interceptions. She ran the ball nine times for 60 yards.

    Lacasse showed why she is one of the top female tackle football players in Canada.

    She was a member of Canada’s national women’s tackle football, and a number of the Valkyries players were her teammates on the national team.  Lacasse was happy she was able to renew those ties.

    “I’ve played with some girls from the Valkyries on Team Canada,” said Lacasse. “It was awesome to see some faces we know.

    “We love them. It was great to have competition against them. It was awesome to play against the Valkyries.”

    Lacasse was a member of the Canadian national team that fell 41-16 to the United States in the championship game of the International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championship tournament in Langley, B.C., in 2017.

    Canada was behind 27-16 after three quarters before the United States sealed victory with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

    Lacasse’s teammates from event included Valkyries running back Sam Matheson, left tackle Alyssa Funk, defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding and safety Rienna Rueve.

    Finland hosts the women’s world tournament in 2021 with the dates, times and locations of games still to be announced. Lacasse is already setting her eyes towards that event.

Maude Lacasse (#13) fires a pass downfield.

    “Just seeing the girls from the Valkyries today, I think we have really good athletes in Canada,” said Lacasse. “I look forward to 2021.

    “We played really good in 2017 against U.S.A. I think we are there. We’re just missing like just a push, and we can beat them for real.”

    In order to prepare for worlds, Lacasse hopes the Blitz will be able to find a new league to play out of.

    The Blitz were formed in 2001, and they have played mainly out of leagues based in the United States. In 2012, the Blitz defeated the Sacramento Sirens 28-27 in the championship game in the top tier of the Independent Women’s Football League.

    Montreal last played in a league in 2017 as part of the Women’s Football Alliance. The Blitz haven’t been able to iron out any agreements to play in the U.S. leagues, and have spent the 2018 and 2019 campaigns playing exhibition games.

    “It has been two years,” said Lacasse “We’re trying to reach the Maritimes, because they have a league there.

    “It is hard. We are really trying to get out there and ask people to make a league. Even just our team in Montreal, we have trouble having like more than 40 girls.

    “We’re trying. We are really trying hard to grow football there and have a league. We keep working for future generations and hope for the best.”

Eye change in new Gainer gets warmer reviews

Best mascot intro ever! ⁦@sskroughriders⁩ #Gainer #greencontactlenses❌ #Parkbeg pic.twitter.com/uIzcPCXQAJ

— Ryan Hall (@CoachRyanHall) July 7, 2019

    The problem was all in the contact lenses.

    Before Saturday’s CFL regular season game at Mosaic Stadium against the visiting Calgary Stampeders, the host Saskatchewan Roughriders released a video that showed the new Gainer the Gopher mascot ditching his green contact lenses.

    Gainer proceeded to appear on the field new eyes that had black pupils, which were more closely tied to the traditional look of the mascot. He was greeted by loud cheers from the crowd.

    During the Roughriders home regular season debut on July 1, the team introduced a new look Gainer which was received mainly to wide disproval of the squad’s Rider Nation fanbase.

    Most of the disapproval showed itself in social media posts that were both harsh and comical. An online petition was started to bring back classic Gainer.

    After the eyes were tweaked in new Gainer, response on social media has been more positive this time around.

    There are still a number of people that oppose the new look Gainer has. Still, the change in the eyes has helped the uproar subside.

    Fans appear to have turned their focus on the fact the Roughriders were dumped 37-10 by the Stampeders before an announced attendance of 29,147. Saskatchewan fell to 1-3 after that loss, while Calgary improved to 2-1.

    The Roughriders return to action on Saturday, July 20, when they host the British Columbia Lions at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

U.S.A. was the best at FIFA Women’s World Cup

Talked the talk.
Walked the walk. pic.twitter.com/OQbvlgSw1K

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019

    No matter what you think of them, the United States are the best in the world in women’s soccer.

    On Sunday, the U.S.A. downed the Netherlands 2-0 in the championship game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Decines-Charpieu, France. The United States have won the last two Women’s World Cups and have four titles overall.

    Megan Rapinoe scored for the U.S. on a penalty kick in the 61^st minute and Rose Lavelle added an insurance goal in the 69^th minute.

    Alyssa Naeher picked up the win in goal for the U.S.

    Sari van Veenendaal took the setback in goal for the Netherlands.

    The U.S. posted a perfect 7-0 record at this year’s world cup and appears to have a swagger that matches that of the Super Bowl winning Dallas Cowboys teams in the NFL in the 1990s.

    The U.S. side drew considerable criticism for elaborate goal celebrations opening its Women’s World Cup schedule thrashing Thailand 13-0 on June 11. Many were rankled when the elaborate goal celebrations continued when the U.S. netted goals eight through 13.

    To be honest, the continuing goal celebrations did show up an opponent that was considerably weaker.

    The U.S. caught everyone’s attention again in a 2-1 semifinal victory over England last Tuesday. Star striker Alex Morgan, who was celebrating her 30^th birthday that day, scored the winning goal breaking a 1-1 tie in the 31^st minute.

    She marked the moment doing a tea drinking celebration. With Morgan being one of the most famous and glamourous female athletes in the world, her celebration drew criticism with the critics saying she was taunting the English side.

    Morgan’s celebration was arguably parallel with that of former NFL star receiver Terrell Owens, who once pulled a sharpie out of his sock to sign a football for a fan after he scored a touchdown when he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

    Morgan’s glam and pretty aspect is arguably on the same level as Tom Brady, who has won six Super Bowls as the quarterback of the New England Patriots.

    That latter notion makes her both a target of criticism and praise.

    I would deem Morgan’s goal celebration against England of having the right amount of strut and self-confidence that comes close but doesn’t go over the edge to arrogance or being cocky.

    Rapinoe, who is a co-captain of the U.S. team, won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer and the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament.

    The 34-year-old was arguably the event’s most charismatic player. Her romantic relationship with WNBA star Sue Bird is heart warming.

    Rapinoe has been a star for some time in women’s soccer, but her star power has hit new heights in this tournament.

    She has the guts to battle one of the world’s most powerful political leaders in U.S. President Donald Trump. Rapinoe annoyed the president saying she would not visit the White House, if the U.S. side was invited to be honoured in the event of a Women’s World Cup win.

    She speaks eloquently on issues of equal rights and in the sport of soccer equal pay between genders.

    No matter what you think of the U.S. national women’s soccer team, they bring attention to their sport. The impact of their Women’s World Cup win this year might go beyond the boundaries of the sport, and they still might rock the world in bigger ways for years to come.

    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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Perfection for Valkyries at 9-0, Blitz fall in exhibition clash

Alex Eyolfson (#15) smiles after making a touchdown reception.

    Alex Eyolfson hoped the good times would never end.

    The fourth-year quarterback was star attraction for the Saskatoon Valkyries on Saturday afternoon at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as they capped a perfect season with a 9-0 overall record.

    Eyolfson completed 11-of-20 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns and had no interceptions in a 39-12 exhibition victory over the Montreal Blitz. She also had a touchdown reception on a quarterback throwback gadget play to go along with her passing efforts.

    “It was fun,” said Eyolfson. “I was throwing the ball lots, and I got a touchdown and that was fun.”

    The 21-year-old wanted to make good on the trick play after failing to finish it during the Valkyries 25-3 victory over the host Regina Riot in the WWCFL title game on June 29 at Mosaic Stadium.

Alex Eyolfson threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday.

    On the gadget play in question, Eyolfson hands the ball off to a running back, who gives it to slotback Reed Thorstad for a reverse handoff. Thorstad is the Valkyries other talented quarterback.

    When Thorstad gets the ball, she throws it Eyolfson, who by that time is running a streak pattern down the sideline. In Regina, Eyolfson caught the pass, but fumbled the ball and managed to recover it.

    Against the Blitz on Saturday, the Valkyries executed the play perfectly with 6:51 expired in the second quarter. Eyolfson was wide open when she caught Thorstad’s pass and went into the end zone untouched on a 23-yard reception to give Saskatoon a 15-6 lead.

    “I caught the ball,” said a gleeful Eyolfson. “I just held on to the ball really tight.”

    Eyolfson’s touchdown reception came at a time when the Valkyries really started to roll.

Ricki Obed is set to take off on a 96-yard touchdown reception.

    Saskatoon exited the first quarter with a 1-0 lead on a 32-yard punt single from safety Rienna Rueve.

    The Blitz jumped ahead 6-1 with 2:44 expired in the second quarter when star quarterback Maude Lacasse capped a long touchdown drive with a one-yard sneak play. Montreal’s ensuing two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful.

    Just 63 seconds after that score, Eyolfson hit star running back Sam Matheson on a screen pass, and Matheson broke about four tackles on 37-yard touchdown reception that gave the Valkyries an 8-6 edge.

    After Eyolfson’s touchdown catch gave the Valkyries a 15-6 lead, the Blitz looked to have gotten back in the game, when Lacasse hit star receiver Anrelie D’anjou Drouin on a 37-yard bomb pass for a major score. D’anjou Drouin’s score was taken off the board, when the officials ruled she was offside on the play.

Maude Lacasse threw for 343 yards for the Blitz.

    Montreal’s drive continued, but it ultimately stalled on the Valkyries 14 yard line.

    On the first play of the ensuing Saskatoon possession, Eyolfson hit fourth-year receiver Ricki Obed on a deep flag pattern on the left side of the field. Obed raced the rest of the way for a 96-yard major score to give the Valkyries a 22-6 advantage.

    Obed finished the contest with three receptions for 107 yards to go with her one touchdown.

    “That was awesome,” said Eyolfson. “I kind of threw it to a spot, and she (Obed) just came out of nowhere and just ran it.

    “It was definitely a turning point I think. We used that as motivation. We kind of got a spark going.”

    With 45 seconds remaining first half, the Blitz capped another long drive with a one-yard touchdown run from running back Emilie Belanger to cut the Valkyries lead to 22-12. 

Emilie Belanger, right, runs in a one-yard touchdown for the Blitz.

    Montreal was unsuccessful at trying a second two-point conversion attempt.

    The Valkyries pulled away in the game’s second half. Early in the third quarter, Matheson caught another screen pass from Eyolfson and dashed 49 yards for a second touchdown reception.

    In the fourth quarter, Carmen Agar ran the ball in from a yard out for the Valkyries final touchdown to put the hosts up 36-12. Agar topped the Valkyries in rushing with 43 yards on six carries.

    Rueve hit a 12-yard field goal late in the fourth to round out the game’s scoring.

    Lacasse finished the contest completing 26-of-47 passes for 343 yards to go along with two interceptions. She ran the ball nine times for 60 yards.

    The Blitz, who were formed in 2001, played out of women’s tackle leagues in the United States for most of their history. 

Aurelie D’anjou Drouin, right, makes a deep catch for the Blitz.

    They have been playing a schedule of exhibition contests last season and this season while trying to find another league to compete in.

    Lacasse, who has played for Canada’s national women’s tackle football team, enjoyed Saturday’s contest despite the final outcome on the scoreboard.

    “It was awesome,” said Lacasse. “Honestly, it is awesome for us to come and play a good game.

    “If we had a real season with these kinds of games every time, I feel like we would have been way better today. That was the first time this season that we had to play against a great team. I think if we had games like this all the time we would get much better.”

Emmarae Dale (#45) had 12.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.

    The pass-happy Blitz provided a different challenge to the Valkyries, who usually face opponents that are more run oriented.

    Rueve, who had both interceptions off Lacasse, said the Valkyries defensive backs enjoyed being really active in Saturday’s contest.

    “It is fun for us,” said Rueve, who is in her eighth season with the Valkyries. “We are used to going against some teams who don’t throw very much.

    “For us as defensive backs, it’s nothing but fun. You have an opportunity to get beat now and then, especially when you have a quarterback who can look you off like she (Lacasse) does. It is what I would ask for.”

    D’anjou Drouin led all receivers catching 12 passes for 197 yards. The Blitz had 93 yards rushing as a team to go with Lacasse’s 343 yards through the air for 436 yards of gross offence.

Sam Matheson (#22) breaks a tackle to score a major on a 49-yard catch.

    The Valkyries dominated in the turnover department recording seven takeaways on three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two turnovers on downs.
    The Blitz had one takeaway coming off a turnover on downs.

    Middle linebacker Emmarae Dale topped all players with 12.5 total tackles, while recovering a fumble and sharing a sack with rookie defensive end Danaye Holynski.

    “We rallied when we needed to,” said Rueve. “I feel like we kind of put everybody in spots where we needed too, and (we played) bend don’t break.”

    Overall, Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased with Saturday’s season-ending contest for his club.

    “It was pretty exciting,” said Barry. “We knew it was going to be one of our most competitive games and it was.

    “They (the Blitz) are a very talented football team. We’ve never seen a quarterback like that who can make every throw on the field and look off our safety. She (Lacasse) is extremely talented.”

Rienna Rueve (#7) returns a punt for the Valkyries.

    The Valkyries were pumped they were able to complete the 2019 campaign with a perfect 9-0 record. The milestone came in a season that they had dedicated to their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1.

    The nine overall games the Valkyries played in the 2019 were the most contests the squad hit the field for in one campaign.
    It started back on March 23 with a 34-6 victory over the Sin City Trojans in and exhibition game in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
    The Valkyries won their sixth WWCFL title when they downed the Riot in this year’s the league final.
    Saturday’s win provided a perfect cap to the season.

    “It is ridiculously unreal,” said Rueve. “To go 9-0 in a season and to be healthy, you can’t ask for much more.”

The Valkyries celebrate finishing 9-0 overall in 2019.

    “That is really exciting,” said Barry. “It is hard to do.

    “Nine football games is a lot. We’re ready for a break now. It has been a great season.”

    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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Matheson cherishes MVP season with Valkyries, ready for curtain call game against Blitz

Sam Matheson had an MVP comeback campaign for the Valkyries.

    Sam Matheson is the Emmitt Smith of the Saskatoon Valkyries.

    When she returned after a year off to play her fifth season as a running back, it was a big boost for the powerhouse WWCFL team. Her playing style mirrors that of the retired Football Hall-of-Fame running back from the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Smith.

    Matheson runs tough between the tackles and is a deadly pass catcher out of the backfield. She sat out the 2018 campaign to allow her body to heal from various injuries.

Sam Matheson (#22) powers her way to a touchdown.

    The 24-year-old was named the Valkyries most valuable player for the 2019 season. She played a key role in helping the club post an 8-0 overall record.

    The Valkyries won the Western Women’s Canadian Football League title 25-3 over the host Regina Riot last Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. In that contest, Matheson ran the ball 21 times for 176 yards and scored two touchdowns.

    “Honesty coming into this year, I really didn’t know what to expect (after) a year off,” said Matheson. “My body definitely felt better than it had in previous years.

    “I felt coming into the first game I was a little lost as to how to play again. I think I quickly found my footing, and it turned out to be such a fun year.”

    It was a fun year, but it was challenging season too in an unforeseen way. On June 1, Valkyries defensive position coach Justin Filteau passed away tragically in a plane crash a day before the squad’s final regular season game.

Sam Matheson, left, ran for 176 yards in the WWCFL title game.

    The Valkyries dedicated their season to Filteau and proceeded to win the WWCFL title. Matheson helped the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2014 and 2016 and noted this year’s win was obviously the most unique.

    “I know it was a very hard year for our team considering the circumstances, but it brought us all together so much closer,” said Matheson. “It made winning the championship so much more special this year.”

    With the WWCFL championship trophy in their hands, Matheson and the Valkyries are set to take the field for a curtain call to close the 2019 campaign. On Saturday, they host the Montreal Blitz at 1 p.m. in an exhibition contest at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Sam Matheson (#22) is congratulated after a touchdown run.

    The Blitz were formed in 2001, and they have played mainly out of leagues based in the United States. In 2012, the Blitz defeated the Sacramento Sirens 28-27 in the championship game in the top tier of the Independent Women’s Football League.

    The Blitz are playing various Canadian teams in exhibition contests this season.

    Montreal’s roster contains star quarterback Maude Lacasse and Emilie Belanger, who plays running back and linebacker. Belanger was a member of Riot when they won the WWCFL title in 2017.

    Matheson knows some of Montreal’s players having played against them as a member of Saskatchewan’s provincial team and with them as a member of Canada’s national women’s tackle football team.

Maude Lacasse is one of the stars of the Blitz.

    “I think it will be really fun,” said Matheson. “I think this is a really good opportunity for them to come together, and it is a really good opportunity for us too.

    “I know that those girls are amazing players, and I’m so excited to have some really hard competition tomorrow.”

    Following the win in the WWCFL title game, Matheson didn’t expect to be named her team’s MVP for the season during the post-game festivities. She took the honour as a nice bonus.

    “I think in the off-season I did work pretty hard,” said Matheson. “Coming back into this year, I knew my body was in pretty tip top shape.

    “It has been better than it has been in previous years.”

    Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said it was big to have Matheson back on the team. He was impressed with how well she played in her comeback season.

    “She’s a dynamic player,” said Barry. “She’s someone that I am very proud of.

    “She’s an explosive athlete, a Team Canada member. I’m so pleased she is on our team.”

    The sideline boss is looking forward to seeing how his team matches up against the Blitz. As this is an exhibition game, five members of the Riot are joining the Valkyries for this one contest.

Sam Matheson (#22) was happy to celebrate her third WWCFL title win.

    Barry believes the exhibition clash will provide a good memory for everyone who is involved with the contest.

    “It is a unique experience,” said Barry. “They are not normally in Saskatchewan, and we don’t normally host them.

    “It is a really unique experience, and we’re proud to host them here at this great facility here at SMF Field.”

    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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Saskatchewan hammers home gold medal win

Matheson turns the tide in Canadian women’s football final

Samantha Matheson charges up field for Team Saskatchewan.

    REGINA - Just when it appeared Team Saskatchewan was in a rocky place, running back Samantha Matheson restored order.

    During the gold medal game of Football Canada’s inaugural Senior Women’s National Championship tournament on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium, Saskatchewan stormed out to 24-0 lead over Team Quebec late in the second quarter, but Quebec pulled to within 24-15 as the third quarter expired. As Quebec rallied, players on the Saskatchewan side started to show visible nerves.

    Early in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan was pinned at its own 10-yardline for a second-and-six play, and Quebec was looking to get the ball back to drive a short field.

    Matheson stepped up and ripped off a 55-yard run off the right tackle and down the right sideline to turn the momentum back in Saskatchewan’s favour. That turned out to be the key play in a 104-yard scoring drive that was capped with a 17-yard touchdown run by Saskatchewan running back Carmen Agar, who put the host side up 31-15 with 9:59 to play. Saskatchewan captured gold holding on for a 34-22 victory.

    “It felt absolutely amazing,” said Matheson, “Quebec was really, really good.

    “We watched their first game, and they have some really great players. We were just so amazed at how we played and how we did against them.”

Team Saskatchewan celebrates a Samantha Matheson TD.

    Matheson was named Saskatchewan’s game MVP after piling up 197 yards rushing and one touchdown on 16 carries. She also scored another touchdown on a one-yard catch. The 21-year-old Saskatoon product, who plays for the Saskatoon Valkyries, was also named the event’s offensive MVP.

    Still, the highlight for Matheson was her long game-changing run in the gold medal contest, where she was eventually run down by Quebec defender Laurence Pontbriand.

    “That was fun,” said Matheson. “I don’t know what else to say to that.

    “It felt good to get out there. That girl, I could feel her coming from behind me.  I knew that she was going to catch me, so I just dropped the shoulder and hoped that I could hurt her a little bit as much as she would hurt me.”

    Sunday’s gold medal game provided an intriguing contest. Saskatchewan’s 36-player roster contained 18 members from the Valkyries, who won the Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship game in late June, and 18 members of the Regina Riot, who took last year’s WWCFL title. Both the Valkyries and Riot typically steamroll the rest of the opposition in the WWCFL. The only games where they experience big momentum swings are when they play each other.

    In a semifinal game on Thursday, Saskatchewan crushed New Brunswick 58-0.

    Quebec’s team was made up entirely of members from the powerhouse Montreal Blitz club team that plays out of the Independent Women’s Football League based out of the United States. They came into nationals after posting a 6-2 regular season record in the IWFL. In the other semifinal on Thursday, Quebec downed Alberta 54-31.

Samantha Matheson twists her way out of trouble.

    Matheson said the Saskatchewan side was really looking to see how they stacked up against Quebec. The only other meeting between two sides on a national level came back at the 2012 Challenge Cup in Laval, Que., when Quebec posted a 17-10 victory in a mini game.

    “It is always great to see new opponents, like get some new competition out there,” said Matheson. “Everyone on Team (Saskatchewan) is either from Saskatoon or Regina, so we are used to playing against each other, and we are each other’s toughest competition.

    “It is definitely nice to play another team that is just as good as both our teams.”

    The gritty power back was pleased to see her side responded when Quebec made its rally and things got tight.

    “It was a little bit stressful,” said Matheson. “We definitely had a few moments where we let our guard down, and that kind of hurt us a little bit.

    “We are a strong team, and we held our own, and we came back and it was great.”

    Despite a spectacular performance in the gold medal game, Matheson did have one big rough moment. On Saskatchewan’s ensuing series after going up 31-15, she got her legs twisted up in a multiplayer collision on a short run, and the gritty back gave out a big scream. She suffered a right knee injury and had to be helped off the field.

    Matheson overcame a serious injury to her left knee in the past, so initially, she was optimistic the injury to her right knee wouldn’t be that bad. As nationals were used to start the identification process to select Canada’s women’s team for next year’s International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championship, Matheson just hopes her injury won’t keep her out of any tryouts for the Canadian team. The dates and host for the 2017 Women’s World Championship has yet to be announced.

Samantha Matheson powers her way out of a tackle for Team Saskatchewan.

    “I don’t really know what is up with my knee right now,” said Matheson. “We still have to look at it.

    “Right now, it is just a bit swollen and tender, so I think it will be OK hopefully in time for Team Canada tryouts, and for next season for sure it will be great I am sure of it.”

    Matheson sparked Saskatchewan out to 15-0 first quarter lead scoring a major on a 35-yard run and catching one-yard pass from quarterback Aimee Kowalski. Between those two scores, Saskatchewan kicker Carly Dyck recorded a rouge off a kickoff.

    Early in the second quarter, Kowalski hit Dyck down the right sideline on a deep throw for 79-yard touchdown strike. Dyck outjumped a defender for a high juggling grab and promptly sprinted for a score after securing the catch.

    Quebec conceded a safety to put Saskatchewan up 24-0, but the host side ended up conceding a safety of its own right before halftime to make the score 24-2.

    Quebec’s 21-year-old quarterback Maude Lacasse came out with a hot hand in the second half firing three touchdown passes. She hit Annabelle Chevrier on a 19-yard strike, Rose-Amelie Brunet on a 12-yard toss and Virginie Roussel on a 35-yard scoring strike.

    Lacasse finished the contest completing 25-of-40 passes for 359 yards, while only throwing one interception. She also picked up a rouge from a 62-yard punt single.

Samantha Matheson shakes hands post-game with the Quebec players.

    Chevrier led all Quebec receivers with six catches for 107 yards. Quebec was limited to 46 yards rushing as a team.

    Agar, who is a five-year veteran with the Riot, complimented Matheson as the other half of a dynamic duo in the Saskatchewan backfield. Agar piled up 137 yards rushing on 20 carries. Kowalski was limited to 88 yards passing completing 3-of-11 throws, while being intercepted twice. Dyck booted a 15-yard field goal for Saskatchewan.

    Matheson relished the chance to play alongside players from the Riot.

    “I love every single one of them,” said Matheson. “There is the rivalry of course when we are playing against each other in the WWCFL. When we all get together as a team, we just come together and mesh so well. It is awesome.

    “Carmen (Agar) my other running back partner, I love her. It was great me and her together.”

    Roussel was named the event’s defensive MVP. Alberta downed New Brunswick in Sunday’s bronze medal game 30-12.

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