By Darren
Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| A receiver sets to catch a pass at a Valkyries practice. |
One of
those memories came during her sophomore campaign with the Valkyries in their
last regular season visit to fabled Taylor Field in Regina on May 21, 2017.
That contest marked the first time Eyolfson guided the Valkyries on a
two-minute drill drive in the fourth quarter to win a game.
With seven
seconds remaining in the contest, Eyolfson hit veteran receiver Kelsey Murphy
with an eight-yard touchdown pass to win the clash 20-17.
“I think that was probably my favourite memory,” said
Eyolfson regarding the encounters between the two provincial rivals.
After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, the Valkyries are returning to game action in 2021 with
three clashes against the Riot.
The two sides go at it on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Leibel Field
in Regina. The Valkyries will host the Riot on Friday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. at
Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
The two clubs will meet for a final time on Sunday, July 25 at a place and time to be announced depending on the total score of the first two contests. Pandemic restrictions that were in effect and are still in effect in different locations have prevented the Valkyries and Riot from playing the WWCFL clubs located in Alberta and Manitoba.
Still, Eyolfson is pumped her Valkyries will renew their storied rivalry with the Riot.
“It would be nice to play everyone, but Regina is our best
competition,” said Eyolfson, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High
School. “I think they are the most challenging games.
“It will be like a good game, so it is exciting. I’m just
glad that we get to play a few games.”
While the WWCFL hit the field a relatively short time ago in 2011, the Valkyries and Riot have created a storied and respectful rivalry.
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| Alex Eyolfson throws a pass at a Valkyries practice. |
The Valkyries have won six WWCFL titles coming in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. The Riot captured league crowns in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Eyolfson made her first major imprint in those head-to-head
clashes as an 18-year-old rookie in 2016. In the WWCFL Prairie Conference title
game played that season at SMF Field, Eyolfson completed 10-of-18 passes for
151 yards and four touchdowns to lift the Valkyries to a 29-14 victory.
On top of the moment where she connected with Murphy for a
winning touchdown pass in that road regular season win in 2017, Eyolfson said
another big memory was the Valkyries 25-3 WWCFL title game win over the Riot in
2019 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
The Valkyries were playing to honour the memory of their
late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who died in a plane crash on June
1, 2019. After learning about Filteau’s passing, the Valkyries dedicated their
2019 season to their late coach.
Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said that win was his best
memory of head-to-head games with the Riot. He was really proud of what the
Valkyries accomplished in 2019 while dealing with Filteau’s passing.
“It was such an emotional season,” said Barry. “The
perseverance of our team that year was pretty special not just for this team
but truly for sport in Saskatchewan.
“It was one of the more amazing moments that I have seen.”
Saskatoon posted a perfect 9-0 record in that campaign closing with a 39-12 exhibition victory over the Montreal Blitz on July 6, 2019 at SMF Field. At the moment, that stands as the last game the Valkyries have played.
Eyolfson is looking forward to playing a live game for the
first time in just over two years, when the Valkyries travel to Regina to face
the Riot on Saturday.
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| A Valkyries receiver head up field after making a catch. |
Eyolfson believes the Valkyries returning players and the
newcomers are coming together well. She also believes she has grown as a team
leader since first joining the Valkyries in 2016.
“It is exciting to get the girls out and see some new
faces,” said Eyolfson. “We are all learning.
“It is exciting. They are learning and they are having fun,
so it is good. I feel more confident, and I just feel like I know we are all a
unit, and I feel more comfortable.
“I try and lead by example. I’m not the loudest one out
there, but I try and put a lot of effort in. It feels good to have five years
under the belt.”
Barry is happy the Valkyries are getting back on the field
even with just an abbreviated season. He said a lot of behind the scenes effort
has made these contests happen.
“It is an immense amount of work,” said Barry. “I give a lot
of credit to our board and our volunteers and all of our coaches and these
players in making this commitment in a really challenging time (and) the same
thing with Regina for wanting to do this.
“For the overall viability and health of the WWCFL, we feel
it is really important.”
Barry said the Valkyries still aim to grow the women’s game. Many of the team’s players coach in Saskatoon’s minor football system.
In the north end zone of SMF Field, the Valkyries share a
sign with the Canadian Junior Football League’s historic and storied Saskatoon
Hilltops. The sign notes the Valkyries have won six WWCFL titles and the
Hilltops, who played their first season in their current form in 1947, have
captured 22 CJFL championships.
Barry said his Valkyries have always tried to be like their
CJFL cousins on the women’s side of the game.
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| The north end zone sign marks the Valkyries and Hilltops title wins. |
“We try to emulate that. That is very difficult to do, but
we want to provide opportunities for women to be involved in football. It is
the greatest team sport in the world.
“We just want them to have the same opportunities.”
For more information
on the Saskatoon Valkyries, feel free to check out their website
saskatoonvalkyries.com.
