Valkyries in the news

Valkyries suffer first

loss in history

 By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostMay 13, 2013

Riot 15, Valkyries 7

The post-game celebration by the Regina Riot on Sunday was unlike any other in the short history of the Western Women's Canadian Football League.

The Riot defeated the Saskatoon Valkyries 15-7 before a franchise-high 535 spectators at Mosaic Stadium. The win was the first by the Riot over the Valkyries since the women's full-contact tackle football league opened in 2011. It was also the first loss ever for the Valkyries, who are the two-time defending league champions and had won 12 straight regular-season and playoff games prior to Sunday's defeat.

"It means a lot," quarterback Aimee Kowalski said after the Riot improved its record to 2-0 and the Valkyries fell to 1-1. "It has been three years now that we have been going after them. Every time we've tried to get a little bit closer to them, but now we've finally reached our goal. This makes it a lot more interesting and more fun to play in the league because you never know who the champion is going to be at the end of the season."

Sunday's victory was an example of the strides the Riot has taken since losing 56-6 to the host Valkyries in the first league game for both teams on May 22, 2011. The Valkyries defeated the Riot 42-2 in their next regular-season meeting and 36-6 in the playoffs. The Riot showed signs of closing the gap in 2012. Regina was beaten 36-6 and 35-26 by Saskatoon in the regular season and 35-21 in the Prairie Conference final.

"Hats off to our coaches because they put a lot of time into this game and they have really come together," Kowalski said. "They understand our weaknesses and strengths. In the past we were coached a lot like we were boys. Now we're being coached like we're adults."

The Riot earned the win without head coach Darren Fisher on the sidelines; he's out of the country on business.

"We missed him and we need him back badly," said Riot quarterbacks coach Jack Upshall. "What (the win) really means is it's another step in the progress toward the championship. It's just one game and it's not the whole season. They understand it and they know there will be another game against Saskatoon."

The Valkyries seemed to take their first defeat in stride.
"It's a good thing because you can always learn more from a loss than a win," said Saskatoon quarterback Candace Bloomquist. "It's good for any team to experience it and it's a great opportunity for us to learn from it. It's good that it happened early in the season and we can still make some adjustments."Read more...

Valkyries in the news

Some of the Valkyries players did some local news talk shows before the season opener. Please follow the links to see the videos.

Global News with quarterback Candace Bloomquist and offensive lineman Beth Thompson.

CTV Morning News with offensive lineman Jessie Buydens and linebacker Denise Kolosky.

Valkyries in the news

Saskatoon Valkyries take

home opener 52-12

By Morgan Modjeski, Metro Saskatoon, May 6 2013

 

 

 

The Saskatoon Valkyries’ 2013 season is off to a good start as the two time Western Women’s Canadian Football League champions toppled the Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack on Sunday afternoon, 52 to 12.

 

Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie said the win was a good start to the season, noting it’s always hard to determine a teams’ level of play at practice.

 

“It was fun to see our girls play at game speed, because you try and mimic that in practice … but it’s always kind of a mystery until you get out and see your first game action,” said Yausie 

 

One of the key players in Sunday’s game was running back Julie David, who managed to score three touchdowns for the Valkyries, running a total of 128 yards and she said she’s excited to be back.

 

“It feels great to actually be playing a game,” said David. “We worked so hard at practices and we’ve been practicing since January or February indoors and to finally get this beautiful weather and play against a team instead of just scrimmaging against ourselves, it’s a lot of fun.”Read more...

 

 

Valkyries in the news

Valkyries open with romp

 By Don Rice, The StarPhoenix May 6, 2013

 

 

Valkyries 52, Wolf Pack 12

The first play of the Saskatoon Valkyries women’s football team home opener provided a great preview of what was to come.

Valkyries’ defensive back Carisa Polischuk picked off a pass on the first Winnipeg offensive play and ran it in for a 33-yard touchdown. It was downhill from there for the Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack.

Valkyries running back Julie David went on to score three first-quarter touchdowns en route to a Valkyries’ 52-12 victory at Griffiths Stadium in Women’s Western Conference Football League action on Sunday in Saskatoon.

“I figured our offence is pretty scary and they certainly are,” said Valkyries head coach Jeff Yausie. “We’re a big-play offence. I thought our running game was awesome. I thought Julene Friesen and Julie David played really well.”

David ended up with 128 yards rushing with touchdowns of 29, 23 and 35 yards. Friesen had 114 rushing yards and added the Valkyries’ fifth touchdown of the day on an impressive 64-yard gallop in the second quarter. The Valkyries led 35-6 at the half.

Arielle Popick hauled in a 36-yard pass from quarterback Candace Bloomquist for the only aerial touchdown of the day, while Bloomquist added a three-yard sweep for the final Valkyries’ touchdown. Saskatoon added a punt single and safety. Jill Fast’s 16-yard run and quarterback Amy Mohr’s two-yard rush accounted for the Winnipeg scoring. Both convert attempts were blocked.

The match was the season-opener for both teams, but also the first chance at game action this year for several players named in March to represent Team Canada at the International Federation of American Football women’s world championship in Finland in June and July.Read more...

Valkyries Practices

More Valkyries practices have been scheduled for both indoors and outdoors. As such these practices may be adjusted due to a change in weather conditions.

Thursday, April 11 - 7:15pm - North Field Sasktel Sports Centre

Sunday, April 14 - 8:00pm - North Field - Sasktel Sports Centre

Tuesday, April 16 - 9:15pm - Sasktel Sports Centre

Thursday, April 18 - 8:00pm - Sasktel Sports Centre

Tuesday, April 23 - 9:00pm - Griffiths Stadium

Thursday, April 25 - 9:00pm - Griffiths Stadium

Saturday, April 27 - 7:00pm - Green and White Game - Griffiths Stadium

Valkyries Updated Practice Schedule

As there is still snow on the ground more practices have been scheduled indoors. All indoor practices will be at the Sasktel Soccer Centre.

Saturday, March 30th: 12:00pm(noon) - 1:30pm

Sunday, April 7th:  6:00pm - 7:30pm

Thursday, April 11th: 7:15pm - 8:45pm

Sunday, April 14th: 8:00pm - 9:30pm

 

When the snow finally melts the Valkyries will begin practicing outdoors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Valkyries selected to Team Canada

Several members of the Saskatoon Valkyries, both players and coaches, have been selected to represent Canada at the 2013 Women's World Championship from June 28-July 7 in Vantaa, Finland.

The following players have been selected to Team Canada:
Running Backs- Julie David
Receivers- Marci Kiselyk
Offensive Line- Beth Thompson, Jessie Buydens, Kendra Wilson
Defensive Backs- Darla Lee-Walde, Carisa Polischuk
Linebackers- Beth Thomson
Defensive Line- Jaime Lammerding
Reserve List- Candace Bloomquist(QB), Julie Paetsch(RB)

The following coaches have been selected to Team Canada at these positions:
Head Coach- Jeff Yausie
Receivers- Chad Palmer
Running Backs- Dan Houle
Offensive Line- Chris Hengen-Braun

For the full list of participants please visit Football Canada.