KINGSTON, Ont. (September 24, 2011) - Queen's new West Campus artificial turf field hosted its first tournament this weekend as women's lacrosse rolled into town.

The Gaels opened the new turf playing against the University of Toronto which is reminiscent of the first women's lacrosse game in the OUA back in 1994 that was also at West Campus. Despite four goals by player/coach Jackie Byers, and a pair from player/coach Gwyn Ross, Queen's lost a close game by only one 12-11. Freshman Teresa Mayo had the last goal, and led the team in assists.

In their second Saturday match, Queen's faced Guelph. Byers notched a hat-trick while Ross had a pair and Marsha Cryderman also got two goals for the Gaels. The end result was a 9-9 tie.

On Sunday the sun came out for the Gaels and Mustangs game. Western has been racking up quite a season so far, but the Gaels were able to take the lead at the half led by a Ross hat-trick and strong physical defense. Western stormed back in the second half to win 10-8. Mayo was able to add a pair of goals for the Gaels in the loss.

In their last game Queen's squared off against McMaster and this time the star was third-year Engineer Alayna Bradd as she stopped 10 of 11 shots and Queen's cruised to a 11-1 victory. Byers had 4 goals, Cryderman two, and third-year Sarah Goldspink had a pair.

The Gaels play nemesis Laurier next week in Toronto.