Lost in the Wind

Stingers Drop Second Consecutive Game and Lose Player to Injury in Windy Affair

SportsRobert Arzenshek — Published October 6, 2014

“Pretty gut-wrenching to lose like this, but we have nobody to blame but ourselves,” said Concordia head coach Graeme McGravie. “We didn’t take advantage of the wind [behind our backs for the second half] or we would have been off to the races.”

The Stingers also lost Alexandra Ste. Marie to injury in the loss. With two minutes remaining in the game, the second-year fullback collided with a teammate going for the ball in the air. A loud pop and crack was heard across the field, and she was carried off the field with apparent pain in her left leg.

McGravie appeared to fear the worst for Ste. Marie, but was not able to confirm her injury.

“Somebody on the sideline speculated it could be her ACL,” McGravie said. “We’ll wait until she gets checked out and hope for the best, but I’m not holding my breath.

“She’s probably done, but too early to speculate. Lower body injury for now,” he continued.

The Stingers looked to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, but have now lost consecutive games for the first time in two years.

Concordia is now third in the RSEQ standings, while Laval moves up to second. Both teams are chasing the undefeated Gee-Gees, who remain in first place.

Concordia had a 15-12 lead by the end of the first half, with tries from forwards Jenna Thompson and Jasmine Akkermans, plus a penalty kick from reigning RSEQ rookie of the year, Alexandra Tessier. However, the Stingers weren’t able to handle the Rouge et Or’s speed in the second half.

Despite a try from Stingers prop Solange de Blois halfway through the second half, Laval took the lead for good with the help of their fullback, Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, who scored three tries, including the go-ahead try that made it 27-20 for Laval, and broke many long runs through the Stingers defence.

“Too many one-arm tackles and we can’t do that with a fast player like that,” Tessier said.

Concordia would reply with another try to make it 27-25, but missed on an opportunity to tie the game when Tessier’s conversion went wide right.

Tessier regretted that last miss that could have tied the game, but tried not to use the extreme wind conditions as an excuse.

“It was tough to kick with the wind, but I should have made it,” said Tessier. “We blew some other opportunities throughout the game.”

McGravie gave the Rouge et Or credit for pulling through and winning over his squad, and despite the loss, gave praise to his team.

“We fought hard today, but [Laval] is a good team, it was a battle until the end,” he said.

The Stingers’ next match will be at Bishop’s University on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Coulter Field.