Nov. 27, 2022 - OUA
HAMILTON – There were no surprises in Sunday’s title match-up as the Toronto Varsity Blues cruised to their sixth straight OUA title, dropping the Carleton Ravens 24-4 in the OUA Championship finale.
With the gold medal and conference banner on the line, the Varsity Blues and Ravens dove into the pool for the final time this season. Toronto got off to a strong start, scoring six quick goals while holding Carleton to just one to lead 6-1 after the opening quarter. The second frame was more of the same for the reigning champions who increased the lead to ten – 11-1 – with just 16 minutes to play. Carleton found the back of the net three times in the third quarter but couldn’t stop the Varsity Blues who held a 16-4 advantage headed into the final frame. Toronto closed out the championship with arguably one of the best quarters of the weekend, scoring an impressive eight goals in the closing eight minutes while stopping the Carleton Ravens in stride to repeat as OUA Champions. With the win, the Varsity Blues become the most successful Toronto team in Varsity Blues’ water polo history. Patrick Conn, named the Most Valuable Player, led the way for the champs with seven goals. The Toronto Varsity Blues were also awarded the Most Valuable Goalie and Coach of the Year awards, going to Miguel Garcia Alonso and Tuna Tali, respectively.
In the earlier match, the Queen’s Gaels fought their way to a 15-13 victory over the Western Mustangs.
Queen’s got off to a quick start, going up 2-0 just a minute and a half into the contest. The Mustangs got on the board to draw within one, but the Gaels pushed for more and led 5-3 after the first quarter. Neither team mustered much offence in the second frame, keeping the score 5-3 at the halftime break. The Gaels and Mustangs made up for lost time in the third, netting five goals apiece. Queen’s maintained the two-goal advantage headed into the final quarter of play. In a back-and-forth battle, the Gaels and Mustangs combined for ten goals in the closing minutes of play but despite a last-minute push by Western, it was Queen’s that came out on top, 15-13, earning the win and the 2022 OUA bronze medal.
Major Award Winners
