Golden Hawks quarterback Connor Carusello takes a snap versus Toronto. (Photo by Jothan Salfarlie)

Golden Hawks prepare for Homecoming showdown with Queen’s 

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football program has made incredible strides over the past decade, highlighted by a Yates Cup victory in 2016. The start to this season has been trying for head coach Michael Faulds and his squad, currently owning a 1-3 record and sitting in a tie for eighth place in the OUA. Losses to Western, Toronto and Ottawa have drowned out an 18-10 victory at York, and have left Laurier with very little room for error during the rest of the season. 

Saturday afternoon presents an opportunity for a defining game, however, as the Golden Hawks welcome the 2-3 Queen’s Gaels to University Stadium in Waterloo for Laurier’s annual Homecoming game. The Gaels have begun to turn their season around with two straight wins, versus Windsor and at Toronto, after beginning the year with losses to Carleton, Western and Ottawa. With a win tomorrow, Queen’s can move toward solidifying a spot in the OUA playoffs. 

A loss would be devastating for Laurier, dropping its record to 1-4 and all but ensuring that the Golden Hawks would have to run the table to make the playoffs. With a win, however, Laurier can begin the second half of its season with renewed hope and restored energy, setting up a push toward the postseason. After Saturday’s match-up with Queen’s, Laurier visits Windsor and Waterloo, before finishing the regular season at home versus Carleton. 

Kickoff for tomorrow’s game is 1pm, and tickets are still available through Laurier’s website. A raucous crowd is expected on hand to watch the Golden Hawks, as well as to catch country music CCMA rising star award winner Jade Eagleson performing at halftime. 

Across town, the Waterloo Warriors will be holding their Black and Gold Alumni Day game, also at 1pm, versus York. The Warriors have been impressive to start the season, holding a record of 3-1 and sitting in a tie for third place in the OUA. Waterloo is coming off a big 34-24 win at Carleton last weekend, and will finish the regular season with games at Western, versus Laurier in the Battle of Waterloo, and at McMaster.