Lady Hawks athletic programs excel

Over the last decade the Golden Hawks have produced more than handful of provincially and nationally ranked, high calibre women’s sports teams.

The ten year span has seen two Lady Hawks’ squads emerge to the forefront of women’s athletics at Laurier, each with equally great track records, accomplishments, and awards.
 
Women’s hockey under the leadership of coach Rick Osborne, and women’s lacrosse led by coach Lynn Orth have both excelled as elite programs.
 
Both teams have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champions seven times since 2000, while the nationally recognized hockey program has continually been seated at the top of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) rankings, winning the overall title two times.
 
“When I first came in one of the visions of our program was to raise the profile of all our sports, and we specifically invested in women’s teams,” said athletic director Peter Baxter. “We focused on leadership first,” he explained. “Once you get good coaches you’re able to attract talented athletes.”
 
Baxter’s motto within the department has always been “Invest in people, improve the product, and win.”
 
“Our team has been successful over the years because of a collaborative, inclusive emphasis on team over the individual,” explained Orth. “Everyone is encouraged to give input and participate in all aspects on and off the field.”
 
Former lacrosse captain, league MVP, and All-Star team member Emily Watson led the team to their first championship in 2000, and has since been inducted into the WLU Hall of Fame.
 
“We have also been lucky to have good leadership in our captains and assistants,” commented Orth. “They are the ones who take charge on the field and make sure that the game plan is executed.”
  
Erica Howard and Kirsten Gerrie have also assisted the team in their successes. Both have been named All-Star members, league MVPs, and have been among the top five scorers throughout their careers.