Preview: Unbeaten Marauders and Gryphons Meet Friday at Ron Joyce Stadium

The winner between the U SPORTS #7 ranked Mac and #3 Guelph will top the Shiels Division (photo c/o Fraser Caldwell)

It's the matchup that has defined OUA women's rugby over the past three seasons, and on Friday, it returns to Ron Joyce Stadium along with McMaster's alumni.

The two teams atop the OUA's elite Shiels Division, McMaster and Guelph meet at the site of last season's OUA Championship, both boasting unbeaten 3-0 records and having already clinched playoff berths.

Under the lights, their regular seasons close with a contest to decide the top seed in the division.

Both OUA finalists each year since 2013, the Marauders and Gryphons have both advanced to the past three national championship tournaments, with Mac advancing as OUA champion in 2014 and 2015, and Guelph emerging with that honour in 2016 after beating McMaster 24-7 at Ron Joyce Stadium.

The Guelph encounter marks another step up in degree of difficulty for the Marauders, who weathered their toughest test to date in a 21-15 win in Kingston over the perennially-strong Queen's Gaels, who were Mac's opponents when the Marauders won their first-ever U SPORTS (then CIS) title in 2015.

Veteran Sara Svoboda, wearing the eight for a second season this year, leads the Marauders with 42 points entering play on September 29, with 42 points from three games, including four tries and 11 converts.

That total sits second among all scorers in the OUA.

Her teammate Britni French, with less scoring punch but a combination of leadership and skill across all phases of the game, was named McMaster's female Athlete of the Week for the second time this season on September 26.

The stage is set for another grudge match, and the occasion also stands as McMaster's alumni game, bringing many of the program's graduands back into the fold for the biggest game of the Marauders regular season.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. and admission for all is free.

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