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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Last dance in 2024 for Valkyries versus Riot rivalry

Provincial foes go at it for WWCFL championship

Alex Eyolfson, right, calls a play in the huddle for the Valkyries.

Alex Eyolfson believes it is fitting the WWCFL season will end with a clash between her Saskatoon Valkyries and the Regina Riot.

Since the start of the WWCFL in 2011, the Valkyries and Riot have had the circuit’s biggest and most storied rivalry. The two sides go at it one last time in the 2024 campaign in the WWCFL Championship Game being held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina.

“They’re always our rivals,” said Eyolfson, who is the Valkyries star quarterback. “We expect this us and Regina.

“We just prepare hard, and we’ve prepared all season. We’re just excited, and we’re really excited for Sunday night to play them.”

The Valkyries enter the contest with a 5-0 overall record, while the Riot are 3-2 overall. Saskatoon took both regular season meetings between the two sides. On April 28, the Valkyries down the Riot 19-6 at Leibel Field, and Saskatoon rolled to a 41-7 victory at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 18.

The Valkyries will be trying to win a fourth consecutive WWCFL title and to keep their 32 game winning streak alive too when they face the Riot. Saskatoon’s last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

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.

“It has been a long time since we played a championship game in Regina,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “That (2019 WWCFL championship season) was an emotional year for us.

Aimee Kowalski (#12) passed for 1,093 yards in the regular season.

“It is exciting to be in this situation again. There are only a couple of teams in the country still playing, and they both happen to be from Saskatchewan. That is pretty exciting, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Eyolfson is one of a strong group of core players that was with the Valkyries in 2019. While they’ve experienced sizable turnover since that 2019 season, the signal caller said the veterans continue to keep Filteau’s memory alive and pass along memories to the team’s newcomers.

“We always play for Filteau,” said Eyolfson. “He is always in our hearts.

“This one, I think we just try and treat every final kind of the same. We’ve prepared all season so well. We’re just coming with lots of energy, and we’re just so excited.

“It is always a big deal.”

Last Sunday, the Valkyries routed the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal at SMF Field. One day earlier, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta.

Eyolfson believes her squad is climbing to a spot where everyone is peaking. She said the Valkyries were pleased with their semifinal win over the Fearless.

“I think we just want to build on that game, and we really came together as an offence,” said Eyolfson. “We had a couple of rocky games this season.

Reed Thorstad (#12) is a sure-handed pass catchers for the Valkyries.

“We’re just building on last game. We’re just practicing really hard, and we’re coming together. I think we are going to peak, hopefully, in the final. Our best is yet to come.”

Barry believes the Valkyries are in a good place on all fronts heading into the WWCFL championship game.

“We’re pretty healthy knock on wood,” said Barry. “We’ve got some experienced players.

“We’ve got some young players who are making big efforts for us, and it is really exciting to see.”

During the Valkyries four regular season games, Eyolfson completed 71-of-114 passes for 899 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Wright has had a big season for the Valkyries carrying the ball 60 times for 326 yards.

Haley Girolami topped the Valkyries with 320 receiving yards coming off 19 catches. Reed Thorstad led the Saskatoon side with 24 catches that went for 291 yards.

Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski completed 104-of-184 passes for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions in the regular season. 

Star receiver Shanelle Rioux had an outstanding campaign for the Riot hauling in 35 passes for 570 yards and six touchdowns.

The two squads were near even in total offensive yards in the regular season with the Valkyries posting 1,446 yards and the Riot collecting 1,442 yards. Defensively, the Valkyries gave up just 805 total yards in the regular season, while the Riot allowed 1,371 yards.

Riot R Shanelle Rioux (#16) battles Valkyries DB Jaimyn Mantyka.

Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn, who played a three game exhibition series for the Riot in 2021 before joining the Valkyries in 2022, is pumped her Saskatoon side gets to see the Riot once again.

“It is exciting, because it is a big rivalry,” said Schenn. “I came from there too, so it is really exciting.

“It is always a big week to play against them just to play against old teammates and really show what our preparation can do.”

Eyolfson said the Valkyries have a good mix of veterans and newcomers this season. The mix keeps the Valkyries driving forward.

“There is so much talent on our whole team,” said Eyolfson. “With offence, we have so many options to go to.

“If someone is not open, someone else will be. I have so much trust in our receivers and my o-line and Sarah (Wright) and Teagan (Craig) and all the running backs and Drew (Lundquist). I have trust in everyone, and it is just exciting to see all the talent we have.”

The signal caller said her squad has the right type of confidence too heading into the WWCFL title clash with the Riot.

“If we execute and we’ve prepped so hard this season this week just going in and doing what we do best it should be our game,” said Eyolfson. “You have to stay grounded too.

OLB Sydney Schenn has become a Valkyries standout on defence.

“I think it should be a good game. It will be exciting.”

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Football life is natural fit for Valkyries’ Schenn

Sydney Schenn has become a Valkyries mainstay at OLB.

Sydney Schenn seemed predestined to play football due to her family’s links to the game.

Growing up in Moosomin, Sask., her father, Jason, coached the sport and is the general manager and president for Moosomin Generals minor football program. Her older brother, Wyatt, and younger brother, TJ, were both players. Schenn’s mother, Janelle, supported the family members in all their pursuits.

Schenn enjoyed getting into rough stuff with her brothers, which ultimately led her dad suggestion she join the football team. She joined the Generals program in Grade 6 and found the sport to be a natural fit.

“I liked the physicality and the aggression,” said Schenn. “I was very aggressive, and I fought with my brothers all the time and we wrestled.

“I could do it on the field instead of being in trouble in the house.”

These days Schenn is a 21-year-old linebacker with the powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League. Now in her third season with the team, Schenn has become a mainstay at outside linebacker.

On Sunday, Schenn and the Valkyries (5-0 overall) will play in the WWCFL Championship Game against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot (3-2 overall) at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. Schenn has helped the Valkyries win the WWCFL title in each of the past two years.

Last Sunday, Schenn had a huge outing at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as the Valkyries romped over the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal. She recorded seven total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Sydney Schenn makes a physical hit for the Valkyries.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable, and I feel more comfortable on the field,” said Schenn, who stands 5-foot-9. “I played nine-a-side in Moosomin, so moving to 12 was really different.

“I feel like I can figure out the game a lot more in 12-a-side better now in my third year.”

In Moosomin, Schenn played linebacker and defensive back, while also handling duties as a long snapper. She took the field for the Generals male teams from Grade 6 through to Grade 12 and suited up for the Generals under-18 female team when it was formed in 2018. With both the male and female programs, Schenn became a star player who piled up a number of awards and accolades.

Originally, Schenn elected to join the Riot in 2020 and play with them while she was still in high school. That campaign was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

Right after graduating from McNaughton High School in Moosomin, Schenn played for the Riot in their three-game exhibition series against the Valkyries in July of 2021, when the all sports leagues in Canada started to take the first steps forward to resuming regular operation. She began studying in the psychology program at the University of Regina away from the game.

On the football field, Schenn started to wonder if she would find better chemistry with a new team.  

“I didn’t feel like I fit well with the Riot,” said Schenn. “I still wanted to play football, so I decided I was going to find somewhere else I could play.

Sydney Schenn gets to a ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

“I have a whole bunch of family here (in Saskatoon), so it was easier that I could just live with family.”

Schenn joined the Valkyries for the start of the 2022 campaign. She continued to pursue her studies at the U of R, but lives in Saskatoon when the Valkyries football season is on.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was happy to see Schenn join the team and already bring a sizable wealth of experience in the tackle game. 

A lot of the Valkyries newcomers join the team from the female flag football in Saskatoon. The fall of 2023 saw Saskatoon Minor Football roll out organized female tackle football for the city for players of high school age.

“Sydney comes from Moosomin, so she has played football for a long time,” said Barry. “She is a heavy tackler, and she is a physical player.

“She is really thriving in (defensive coordinator) Wyatt Carleton’s defence. We’re really impressed with how she is doing things in our thirty defence right now.”

While Schenn had a lot of experience in the game, Barry said the standout linebacker has grown a lot since joining the Saskatoon side.

“She has come like a huge distance,” said Barry. “She was a teenager when she first came to us.

Sydney Schenn (#57) tracks down a receiver downfield.

“Now as a young woman and an athlete, she is showing a lot of leadership and physical play. It is really great to have her on our team.”

With the Valkyries, Schenn found the chemistry she was looking for.

“They are such a hyped group,” said Schenn. “They’re great.

“It is just the best team environment that I’ve been a part of.”

One of Schenn’s most memorable moments came when the Valkyries won the WWCFL title game in her first season. In that title game clash played on June 25, 2022 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries romped past the Fearless 36-6.

“That was my first championship as a player,” said Schenn. “Throughout my nine years in Moosomin, I never won a championship, so that was pretty cool to actually win a (title) game and go undefeated and actually win a championship.”

Now, Schenn wants to be part of another WWCFL title win with the Valkyries. 

Looking to the future, Schenn said she would like to play with the Valkyries for as long as she can, but she admits life opportunities that come away from the game will play a factor when it comes to staying with the club for a longer term.

“I’m not sure where life is going to take me after my undergrad,” said Schenn. “At least (I will play) maybe one more year.

Sydney Schenn (#57) enjoys playing football with the Valkyries.

“We’ll see if I go for my masters or where I go after that.”

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 kickstarts Valkyries to romp over Fearless

Saskatoon advances to WWCFL title game against Riot

Haley Girolami had seven catches for 118 yards and two TDs on Sunday.

The return of Haley Girolami has been one of the biggest subplots to the Saskatoon Valkyries 2024 campaign.

Last year, the star receiver was lost in the team’s second regular season game due to injury. Girolami suffered a tibial plateau fracture and a PCL tear in her left knee during that contest, which placed her on the shelf for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

She ended up helping the Valkyries with coaching the club’s other receivers along with cheering on her teammates. Girolami watched on the sidelines as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game on June 24 of last year at Griffiths Stadium.

Haley Girolami, left, breaks loose from a Fearless defender.

This year Girolami will be in uniform for the WWCFL title clash. That is because on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field she caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Girolami’s offensive outburst helped kickstart the Valkyries to a 48-14 romp over the visiting Manitoba Fearless in a WWCFL semfinal clash between the two sides.

“It was a very hard year last year,” said Girolami. “It was a different kind of mindset last year to help and just be a cheerer on the sideline not being able to do something and try and make a difference in the games.

“I’m just happy, and I am thankful to be healthy this season. I am just so excited to play alongside this team in the finals one more time.”

The Valkyries celebrate a first quarter TD from Haley Girolami (#17).

With the win, the Valkyries improved to 5-0 overall on the campaign, pushed their winning streak out to 32 games and advance to face their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in the WWCFL Championship Game. The Fearless finish out at 0-5 overall.

On Saturday, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta. The Riot improved to 3-2 overall, while the Rage finished out at 4-1 overall.

The Riot host the WWCFL final this coming Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. The Valkyries will be trying to win a fourth consecutive league championship.

Haley Girolami had a team high 320 receiving yards in the regular season.

Girolami is pumped the Valkyries will play for a WWCFL title again.

“It does feel good,” said Girolami, who has been with the Valkyries for their last three WWCFL title wins. “We’re very excited.

“We’ve had a few ups and downs this year and a few closer games. We’re really happy to be back into the final game, and I think we’re ready to give it our all.”

Sunday’s post-season outing was big follow up to a stellar regular season for Girolami. She topped the Valkyries with 320 receiving yards coming off 19 catches as the squad placed first in the Prairie Conference with a 4-0 mark.

Haley Girolami, left, celebrates a TD catch with Reed Thorstad.

“It is so big to have Haley (Girolami) back,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry, who club played in on and off again rainy conditions on Sunday. “I’m a big fan of hers.

“She’s an explosive athlete. She is such a positive person. She might be the most competitive person on our team, and there are a lot of competitors on our team.

“It is exciting to have her back and healthy.”

Girolami gave the Valkyries a spark after they had a small stumble out of the gate on Sunday. Just 91 seconds into the contest, the Valkyries had a mishap in fielding a punt deep in their end of the field, which resulted them in ultimately giving up a safety to give the Fearless a 2-0 lead.

Reed Thorstad tosses away a defender after making a catch.

After forcing the Fearless to punt again on their ensuing possession, the Valkyries got to work turning to Girolami. Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hit Girolami with a deep pass down the right sideline. That catch went for a 49-yard touchdown reception to give the Valkyries a 7-2 at the 4:40 mark of the opening quarter.

Just under four minutes later, the Valkyries added a 17 yard field goal from receiver/kicker Grace Moehler to push their advantage out to 10-2.

With Girolami having come through with a big reception for a major score, the rest of the Valkyries receivers were finding room to work. Star inside receiver Reed Thorstad would haul in a 38-reception and was tackled down at the Manitoba three yard line. That catch ultimately set up a one-yard touchdown run two plays later from Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright that gave the hosts a 17-2 lead heading into the second quarter.

Alex Eyolfson (#15) completed 16-of-24 passes for 287 yards.

Thorstad finished the contest with five catches for 83 yards. She said Girolami’s presence helps open things up for the rest of the Valkyries playmakers in the passing game.

“She (Girolami) is a talented receiver, and she also works her butt off,” said Thorstad. “She is always going to attack the ball.

“She is always going to be making that extra effort on blocks, and I think having that energy on our offence just ups it a lot for us. It just means we have so many targets on the field, which is awesome.”

The Valkyries kept the offensive fireworks coming in the second quarter. Moehler kicked a 25-yard field goal into the wind to give the Valkyries a 20-2 lead. Wright rolled off a 53-yard touchdown run to put the hosts up 27-2 at halftime.

Sydney Schenn makes one of her seven total tackles on Sunday.

Just 2:24 into the third quarter, Eyolfson hit Girolami with a 14-yard touchdown pass to push the Valkyries lead up to 34-2.

The Fearless proceeded to put together a scoring drive that was capped by quarterback Madison Siwicki hitting inside receiver Cassidy Turski with a 19-yard touchdown strike. The visitors tried to go for a two-point conversion but a dump pass to running back Breanna Hargrave came up short of the end zone to make the score sit at 34-8 in favour of the Valkyries.

With 1:47 remaining in the third quarter, Eyolfson connected with star receiver Ricki Obed on a 48-yard pass and run touchdown to give the Valkyries a 41-8 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Kelsey Murphy returns an interception 38 yards for the Valkyries.

Early in the fourth quarter, Siwicki scored a major on a one-yard quarterback sneak for the Fearless. Siwicki’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete to make the score sit at 41-14 in favour of Saskatoon.

The Valkyries rounded out the game’s scoring with a 49-yard touchdown run from Teagan Craig, who is playing in her first season with the Saskatoon side. The 48 points the Valkyries scored on Sunday were a team high for the 2024 campaign.

Thorstad said it was big for the Valkyries to get everyone who suited up for the contest into the game.

“I think that was great for us,” said Thorstad. “We’ve got a lot of people.

Emmarae Dale had eight total tackles for the Valkyries.

“We have a deep bench. Teagan (Craig) has speed, and it was fun to see her be able to turn on the jets in some open space and get it in the end zone. I’m excited for her and excited for some of our receivers that had some catches today too.”

Eyolfson finished the contest completing 16-of-24 passes for 287 yards, three touchdown and no interceptions. Wright topped the Valkyries with 65 yards rushing on seven carries to go with her two major scores.

Siwicki completed 11-of-28 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, while throwing three interceptions for the Fearless. Receiver Morgan Moffatt topped the Manitoba side with 64 receiving yards coming on four catches. Star running back Hallie Eggie led the Fearless in rushing with 19 carries for 85 yards.

Teagan Craig had a 49-yard touchdown run for the Valkyries.

On defence, Valkyries outside linebacker Sydney Schenn had seven total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale led the Valkyries with eight total tackles and an interception.

Veteran defensive back Kelsey Murphy returned an interception 38 yards for the Valkyries, while safety Jaimyn Mantyka and defensive back Kaylin O’Neill each had fumble recoveries.

Linebacker Belle Jonasson had a big game for the Fearless with 6.5 total tackles, one quarterback sack, two pass knockdowns and one interception. Fearless linebacker Jill Fast had one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Hargrave, who was playing both ways, topped the Fearless with eight total tackles.

Cassidy Turski, left, had a TD catch for the Fearless.

Looking back at the start of the season, Girolami said she was ready to get going after recovering from her injury.

“I had tonnes of nerves,” said Girolami, who stand 5-foot-9. “I felt hungry for it.

“I wanted it so bad this year. It was hard to sit out and be on the sideline. I wanted to be with them and playing.

“Our team just gets better every year, so I wanted to be a part of that learning and growing this year.”

The 28-year-old has had a blast being part of the team on the field again.

“It has felt so good,” said Girolami. “It feels super nice to be back and making some plays.

Backup QB Julia Smith (#11) fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries.

“It is great, because we have so many threats on offence. It is amazing to move the ball around.”

Now, the Valkyries turn their attention towards the Riot. The last time the two Saskatchewan rivals met in the WWCFL title game was back in June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium, and the Valkyries came away with a 25-3 victory on that day.

“It is exciting,” said Barry. “It has been five years since we’ve played Regina in the final.

The Valkyries celebrate their WWCFL semifinal win on Sunday.

“It is not in Mosaic Stadium this time. It is in Leibel Field. We’re excited for the opportunity. We’re looking forward to it.”

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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Love for the game makes Valkyries go

Family feeling and championships result from football bond

The Valkyries celebrate a Grace McCorriston (#82) TD.

The Saskatoon Valkyries love the game of football, and the game has loved them back.

The base commonalty between everyone on Saskatoon’s storied Western Women’s Canadian Football League team is that they love the game. That has allowed players from all sorts of backgrounds to be able to come together.

Ultimately through that initial bond of the love for the game, the family atmosphere on the team developed.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries completed a perfect 7-0 season taking the WWCFL Championship Game 36-6 over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless. The win marked the seventh time the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title dating back to the team’s and the league’s inaugural season in 2011.

The Valkyries celebrate winning their seventh WWCFL title.

Actually, the last time the Valkyries lost a game was way back on June 24, 2018, when they fell 14-10 to the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium in that year’s WWCFL title game. Since that setback, the Valkyries have won 19 straight games including one contest by forfeit.

The winning streak included capturing the WWCFL crown on June 29, 2019 with a 25-3 victory over the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries dedicated that perfect 9-0 season to defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1, 2019 with that campaign still in progress.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) carries the Valkyries flag to the field.

Filteau’s parents in father, Ron and mother, Nancy, took part in the coin toss before the Valkyries WWCFL title winning game on Saturday and were presented with Justin’s championship ring from 2019.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world, the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled. The Valkyries were able to take the field in 2021 winning every outing in a three-game exhibition series against the Riot.

This season the Valkyries returned to the field with a great mix of veterans and first and second year players. The second-year players all got their first taste playing for the squad in the 2021 exhibition series against the Riot.

Ashley Viklund (#65) locks up on a block for the Valkyries.

The fact that so many veterans returned after two years of not playing an actual regular season or post-season games speaks highly to the culture on the team. On top of loving the game, the family atmosphere is so good you couldn’t imagine not having the teammates, coaches and staff on the Valkyries in your life.

For the newcomers that are in their first and second years, they found an atmosphere that was so welcoming they immediately felt a sense of belonging. It is another aspect that adds to the Valkyries machine and allows it to go.

The atmosphere is so good on the Valkyries that you see someone like star defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding return to the field year after year playing a position that is taxing physically. She took the field with the Valkyries in their first season back in 2011.

Rienna Rueve punts the ball for the Valkyries.

When she let it be known the 2022 campaign would be her last ride season as a player, the Valkyries made sure she went out on a high note. Lammerding has added the most to the Valkyries upbeat culture over the years.

Away from the field, she took up a leadership role serving as president of the WWCFL taking on countless volunteer hours that go with that role.

Linebacker Beth Lalonde has been with the Valkyries since their inaugural season and would have played in 2022 had it not been for an injury she sustained before the start of the regular season. She still remained with the team helping coach the linebackers throughout the season.

Another hero that has kept the Valkyries motoring along behind the scenes has been Michelle Duchene, who help found the team and has been the club’s general manager since its inception. Usually, someone in a volunteer leadership role like Duchene holds stays in that spot for about five years before taking a break.

Emmarae Dale (#45) and Danaye Holynski (#55) team on a tackle.

With the Valkyries, no one has to worry about who is at the helm, because Duchene has always been there. A lot of the family feeling with the team starts there with her.

Players who were once rivals have been adopted into the Valkyries family like former Riot members in left guard Ashley Vikland and receiver Rachelle Smith. Life brought Vikland to Saskatoon in 2018 and the Smith to “The Bridge City” in 2019.

Vikland was a member of two WWCFL title winning teams with the Riot, and Smith was with the Regina side for all three of their WWCFL championships.

When they came to the Valkyries, it seemed like they played their entire football lives with the team earning two more WWCFL championships in 2019 and 2022.

Alex Eyolfson had arguably her best season with the Valkyries.

Like Lammerding, Vikland has elected to hang up the cleats on a stellar playing career following the completion of the 2022 campaign.

Veteran quarterback Alex Eyolfson radiates a vibe that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright even if things go wrong. She arguably had her best season guiding an offence that was veteran heavy with players like receivers Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed, left tackle Alyssa Funk, centre Alex Wojcichowsky, right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, right guard Lauren Ferguson and running back Sarah Wright.

Saskatoon got a lot of key performances from big play third year receiver in Haley Girolami.

All-time great Valkyries running back Sam Matheson suffered a season ending knee injury in the team’s second regular season game but remained with the squad helping coach the running backs.

Valkyries LB Sydney Schenn (#57) pressures the quarterback.

The defence was led by the veteran presence of middle linebacker Emmarae Dale along with Lammerding. The defensive secondary got a boost when Rienna Rueve, who has been with the club since 2012, elected to return to the lineup as a player after two games as injuries started to add up. Rueve handled punting duties too upon her return.

Ninth-year defensive back Shaylyn De Jong also helped out in the coaching department after her season came to an end with a leg injury.

Receiver Kelsey Murphy, who has been with the Valkyries since 2014, and fourth year pass catcher Danielle Girolami bolstered the defensive playing safety and defensive halfback respectively.

Sarah Wright breaks downfield on a long run.

Defensive end Danaye Holynski and linebacker Jamie Wingate, who both joined the Valkyries in the 2019 WWCFL championship season, solidified star status with the big plays they made in 2022.

The first and second year players brought spunk and a kick butt youthful energy to the team. The second year players that brought spark included defensive back Makayla Sader, defensive end Arden Kliewer, running back and kicker Drew Lundquist and receiver and kicker Grace McCorriston.

Defensive back Jackie Semple-Dyck, Grace Farthing on the defensive line, linebackers Kiara Willick and Sydney Schenn and offensive guard Breanna Allgretto made immediate big impacts on the team as rookies.

About eight first or second years players on average usually started on defence as injuries piled up on that side of the ball this past season.

The Valkyries start celebrating their WWCFL championship win.

In practice under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff led by head coach Pat Barry, defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and offensive coordinator Caleb Dueck, the Valkyries efficiently get a tonne of work done in practices and video sessions.

When no one is watching, the Valkyries are doing what they need to do to get better and the results show up on the field.

Overall, the Valkyries are able to go from the simple fact that they love the game of football. From there, the family atmosphere and the stellar play on the field comes around naturally.

The Valkyries have fun with the WWCFL championship trophy.

Even when world events beyond anyone’s control causes stoppages and prevents championship games from being played for a couple of years, the Valkyries come back better than ever.

The memories and culture that was in place before those stoppages was remembered and helped the Valkyries move forward like no time had passed when everything started rolling again.

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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