Five Places Remain: Super Qualifier Weekend Sets The Stage For The Baggataway Cup

The regular season is complete, and the road to Ottawa has reached it's most demanding stretch.

Ten teams enter CUFLA’s Super Qualifier Weekend with an opportunity to advance to the Baggataway Cup. Five will move on. Five will see their seasons come to an end.

Waiting are the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, who have an automatic berth as hosts of the championship, November 12–14 at Gee-Gees Field. For everyone else, getting to Ottawa means winning one more game.

There are favourites, but there are also reasons to expect some competitive lacrosse. Nipissing has already beaten defending champion Guelph. Queen’s handed McGill its first loss. Trent pushed the Gaels to double overtime.

The following is a look at all five matchups, each team’s strengths, and how they could earn their place in the championship field.

McMaster Marauders At Western Mustangs

Western Mustangs

Western enters the postseason with the strongest regular-season record in CUFLA, finishing a perfect 10–0 while scoring 122 goals and allowing 52. Those numbers reflect a team that has consistently produced at both ends of the field.

One of the Mustangs’ biggest strengths is their ability to find another gear when a game tightens. They can score in bunches, but their regular-season finale also showed they can protect a narrow lead against a championship-calibre opponent.

Western defeated Guelph 9–8, with Troy MacDonald scoring four times and Hayden McIsaac adding two. When the Gryphons pulled within one late in the fourth, Zach Abu-Ali supplied a crucial answer before the Mustangs held off another late push. That combination of scoring options and timely execution makes Western difficult to contain.

Chances to advance: Western is a strong favourite. The Mustangs have earned that position through their consistency, scoring depth and ability to win close games. Their challenge is to bring that same urgency into an elimination game against a team with everything to gain.

McMaster Marauders

McMaster has offensive players capable of making this interesting. Lincoln Gear, Nick Pospisil and Brennan Mee give the Marauders options, while Caelan Mander has already delivered in a pressure situation with his overtime winner against Toronto. Gear’s five-goal performance against Nipissing also demonstrated his ability to carry a significant part of the attack.

The challenge will be creating enough opportunities without allowing Western to take over the game. The Mustangs won their October 16 meeting 10–3, giving McMaster a clear indication of the level required in the rematch.

For the Marauders, a competitive opening quarter would be valuable. Patient possessions, strong work on loose balls and finishing their best chances could keep the pressure on Western. Allowing the Mustangs to build an early cushion would make the task considerably harder.

Chances to advance: McMaster enters as the underdog. Its best opportunity is to keep the score manageable, limit Western’s extended runs and give its offensive leaders a chance to decide the game late.

Nipissing Lakers At Brock Badgers

Brock Badgers

Brock has already shown two different ways to beat Nipissing.

The Badgers earned a tight 9–8 victory in their first meeting, with Liam Larocque providing the fourth-quarter winner. In the rematch, Brock opened with seven unanswered goals and went on to win 12–5. One result demonstrated its ability to finish a close game; the other showed how dangerous the Badgers can be when they establish control early.

Guerin Jennings, Jack Parker and Colton Armitage give Brock several scoring threats. Jennings and Armitage each recorded hat tricks in the second victory over Nipissing, while Parker and Adriaan Alderson added two goals apiece. That distribution makes it difficult for an opponent to concentrate on one player.

Brock does enter the qualifier following a 19–6 loss to Guelph. Regaining its defensive structure and preventing Nipissing from building momentum will be important.

Chances to advance: Brock has the edge based on home field and two regular-season victories over the Lakers. However, the one-goal margin in their first meeting is a reminder that this matchup can become very tight.

Nipissing Lakers

Nipissing has already supplied one of the clearest examples of why regular-season position does not guarantee a playoff result.

Against Guelph, the Lakers fell behind 4–0 before regrouping for a 9–7 victory. Ben King and Jack Quinn each scored three times, while Zach Tarr supplied the late insurance goal. Nipissing scored nine of the final 12 goals, showing both resilience and the ability to change the direction of a game against a leading contender.

King, Tarr, Quinn and Blake Davies give the Lakers enough offensive ability to challenge Brock. The key will be getting that attack established before the Badgers create separation.

Nipissing cannot afford a repeat of the seven-goal deficit from the second meeting. A more controlled opening, combined with disciplined defensive possessions, would give its scorers a much better platform.

Chances to advance: The Lakers are a credible upset threat. Brock deserves the favourite’s position, but Nipissing’s victory over Guelph provides real evidence that it can beat a strong opponent when it's game comes together.

Toronto Varsity Blues At Guelph Gryphons

Guelph Gryphons

The defending Baggataway Cup champions remain a formidable obstacle for anyone trying to reach Ottawa. Guelph won its sixth championship in 2025 and enters this qualifier with the experience of having completed the journey.

The Gryphons’ most obvious strength is their range of scoring options. Their 19–6 victory over Brock to close the regular season featured six goals from Brandon Orr, four from Robert Baxter and three from John Logue. That is a difficult attack to manage because taking away one threat can create room for another.

Guelph also has a recent result to draw upon against Toronto. The Gryphons defeated the Varsity Blues 12–4 on October 25, answering an early 2–0 deficit with six consecutive goals.

Chances to advance: Guelph is a strong favourite. Its offensive depth, championship experience and recent performance against Toronto all support that assessment. Maintaining focus through the opening stages will be important against a visiting team looking to create doubt.

Toronto Varsity Blues

Toronto has shown the ability to compete through difficult stretches and produce momentum-changing runs.

Daniel Clarke, Graham Dicken and Justin Ranger have contributed to the attack, including during the Varsity Blues’ comeback victory over Laurentian. Toronto scored five consecutive fourth-quarter goals in that game to turn a deficit into a 12–10 win.

The recent meeting with Guelph also offered something to build upon. Toronto established a two-goal lead, showing it could create early opportunities against the champions. The challenge was sustaining that success once Guelph responded.

For the Varsity Blues, possession will be particularly valuable. Making Guelph defend for longer stretches, protecting the ball and converting quality chances would help prevent the Gryphons from repeatedly attacking in transition.

Chances to advance: Toronto faces a difficult assignment. An upset would require a complete performance, particularly in limiting Guelph’s scoring runs. The Blues need to remain within reach long enough for a few key plays to change the outcome.

Trent Excalibur At Queen’s Gaels

Queen’s Gaels

Queen’s has supplied convincing evidence that it can compete with the East’s best.

The Gaels defeated previously unbeaten McGill 12–10 on October 25, breaking an 8–8 tie with a strong fourth quarter. Ryan Gonsalvez led the way with three goals and two assists, while Cam Milligan, Tanner Harrison, Dean Fawthrop and Kai Faller each scored twice. That balance is one of Queen’s most important strengths.

The Gaels have also demonstrated their finishing ability against Trent. In their second meeting, Queen’s held a narrow 6–5 lead entering the fourth before scoring seven straight goals in a 13–6 victory. Six Gaels finished with multiple goals.

Queen’s can attack through several players and has shown it can produce decisive stretches late in games. That makes the Gaels dangerous even when an opponent has matched them for three quarters.

Chances to advance: Queen’s is the favourite, supported by two victories over Trent and it's late-season win over McGill. However, the first meeting with the Excalibur showed how little can separate these teams.

Trent Excalibur

Trent has good reason to believe this matchup can be competitive.

The Excalibur took Queen’s to double overtime before falling 12–11 in their first meeting. Even in the 13–6 rematch, Trent recovered to tie the game 5–5 in the third quarter and trailed by only one entering the fourth.

Nick Fournier and Will White have supplied offence against the Gaels, with Fournier scoring three times in the second meeting. Trent also finished the regular season with an 11–4 victory over Bishop’s, opening that game with five unanswered goals.

The opportunity is there, but sustaining the performance is essential. Trent has already shown it can stay with Queen’s. The next step is preventing the late surge that decided their second meeting.

Chances to advance: Trent is a legitimate upset possibility. Queen’s has the stronger head-to-head results, but a double-overtime game and another close contest through three quarters suggest the Excalibur can put themselves in position to win.

Bishop’s Gaiters At McGill Redbirds

McGill Redbirds

McGill enters the qualifier following a strong response to its first defeat.

After losing at Queen’s, the Redbirds closed the regular season with a 15–8 victory over Ottawa, using a seven-goal second quarter to take control. It was another example of how quickly their offence can change a game.

Scoring depth remains a major strength. Zack Page, Callum Olson, Liam Miletich, John Miraglia and Torsten Blodgett provide multiple threats, while Jason Bonnema and Tyler Miocevich have also delivered productive performances. Through its first nine games, McGill had recorded 16 individual hat tricks spread among seven players.

Against Bishop’s on September 30, Olson and Page each scored four times in a 12–7 victory. Olson’s three consecutive fourth-quarter goals helped put that game away.

Chances to advance: McGill is a strong favourite. The Redbirds have the scoring depth and demonstrated ability to create separation. Avoiding an extended stretch of missed chances or turnovers will help prevent Bishop’s from staying within striking distance.

Bishop’s Gaiters

Bishop’s can draw encouragement from portions of its September 30 meeting with McGill.

The Gaiters trailed only 6–4 at halftime and pulled within one early in the third quarter. Maxwell Chiarella, Benjamin Sipples and Liam Reynolds contributed offensively, showing Bishop’s could create opportunities against the Redbirds.

The challenge was containing McGill’s response. Once the Redbirds began stringing goals together, Bishop’s could not keep pace.

For the Gaiters, the route to an upset involves making this a game of fewer possessions and smaller margins. Strong goaltending, careful ball management and timely finishing would give them the best chance to carry pressure into the fourth quarter.

Chances to advance: Bishop’s enters as the underdog. Its competitive stretches against McGill offer a foundation, but advancing will require sustaining that level for the full game and limiting the Redbirds’ extended scoring runs.

Ottawa Gee-Gees: The Hosts Await

Ottawa already has it's place in the Baggataway Cup as the host university. Its automatic berth removes the Super Qualifier hurdle, but the Gee-Gees have also produced results that make them an interesting championship opponent.

Two one-goal victories over Queen’s demonstrated Ottawa’s ability to execute in close games. Hunter Lubiniecki scored five times in the 15–14 win and added a hat trick in the subsequent 11–10 victory. Julien Belair has also provided significant offensive production, including six goals against Carleton.

The 15–8 loss to McGill in the regular-season finale provides a clear preparation point. Ottawa will need to contain the type of sustained scoring run that allowed the Redbirds to take control in the second quarter.

Home surroundings and the opportunity to prepare without an elimination game could work in the Gee-Gees’ favour. Their close-game victories suggest they can be dangerous if they keep a championship matchup within reach.

Championship outlook: Ottawa is already through. It's chances of making a deeper run will depend on pairing it's offensive ability with consistent defensive play against the strongest attacks in the field.

One More Win To Baggataway

Western, Guelph and McGill enter their qualifiers as strong favourites. Brock has earned an edge over Nipissing, while Queen’s has the advantage against a Trent team that has already pushed it to the limit.

However, every challenger has a path. Nipissing has beaten the defending champions. Trent has taken Queen’s beyond regulation. Toronto, McMaster and Bishop’s each have offensive players capable of making an opponent pay for a slow start.

The regular season has established expectations. Super Qualifier Weekend will determine who earns the opportunity to chase the Baggataway Cup in Ottawa.