Redbirds Baseball: C+
A rebuilding year showed in Men’s Baseball’s final record: 11–18, with a tough 3–11 mark on the road and no conference play on the schedule entering fall nationals. The team’s strong 8–6 home record kept the season from slipping further, as did steady pitching flashes and an improved structure. However, inconsistency at the plate and difficulty stringing wins together made it hard for McGill to climb above a .500 win rate. This was not a lost year by any means; the team’s foundation was visible as its members tried to reaffirm their identity after key veterans graduated last season.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: A-
McGill’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams delivered a strong and eventful fall. On the women’s side, Sophie Courville captured the individual RSEQ championship with an 8 km time of 28:29, becoming the first McGill women’s athlete to win the conference title since 2016. The women’s team also opened their season by winning the 6 km McGill Invitational out of a nine-team field, led by Sienna Matheson’s silver and a bronze by Courville. On the men’s side, the Redbirds secured third place as a team at the RSEQ championship meet, with a standout performance by the 14th-placing Sean Adams, who completed the 8km course with a time of 25:17. Between Courville’s breakthrough individual title, consistent depth from both the women’s and men’s top‑five scorers, and strong showings at key invitationals, the program demonstrates competitiveness and promise.
Martlets Field Hockey: B-
McGill’s Women’s Field Hockey squad faced a challenging fall, finishing with a single win: A hard‑fought 1-0 victory over the Queen’s Gaels on Oct. 19. While their season included some heavy losses, the team showed resilience and determination, especially defensively and through competitive moments against stronger opponents. Despite offensive struggles, their late‑season win demonstrates that the Martlets have grit to build upon and grow from. Their season was a testament to true dedication and sportsmanship.
Redbirds Football: B
Men’s Football finished 3–7 in RSEQ play, closing out a season defined by narrow margins and late-game swings. Despite ending with a five-game losing streak, McGill produced its highest number of U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians since 2002; running back Jerry Momo, defensive back Jahnai Copeland-Lewis, and offensive line Domenico Piazza all earned national honours. The talent at the team’s top end is undeniable—but converting that individual success into consistent team results remains Football’s next step. The Redbirds’ season was frustrating but not hopeless, with bright moments such as their upset victory over the Université de Montréal’s Carabins hinting at a stronger 2026 campaign.
Men’s and Women’s Golf: B
McGill Varsity Golf quietly put together a steady fall, as both programs consistently landed in the middle of competitive RSEQ fields. The Martlets finished third at Omnium 1, third at Omnium 2, and fourth at the RSEQ Championship. The Redbirds matched that stability with three straight fourth-place finishes, reflecting the overall team’s solid, but unspectacular, season. While neither team cracked the podium in the final standings, both showed improvement and stayed firmly in contention at every event, bolstered by some gargantuan performances from Astoria Yen—who was named Athlete of the Week and came third in the season’s overall rankings.
Redbirds Lacrosse: A
The Redbirds delivered another top-tier campaign, finishing 9–3 overall and 8–2 in conference, powered by one of the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA)’s most balanced offences. McGill looked like a title threat all season, dominating at home 5–1 and earning a semifinal berth at the Baggataway Cup. Their season ended in a gritty 15-12 loss to the Nipissing University Lakers, despite a hat-trick from midfielder Joshua Jewell. Still, the Redbirds saw five of their players make the CUFLA East Division All-Star Team, underscoring the team’s depth and the program’s continued national relevance. 2025 was a strong year for men’s Lacrosse, and the goal of winning a championship remains at the forefront of the team’s future aspirations.
Men’s and Women’s Rowing: B+
McGill Rowing put together one of its strongest fall campaigns to date, highlighted by their standout performance at the Head of the Rideau Regatta, where the Martlets captured the Kandahar Trophy as the top university program among 10 teams. The Head of the Trent Regatta offered the team valuable racing practice, though without scoring. At the Ontario University Athletics Championships, the Redbirds impressed with a fourth-place finish out of 14, while the Martlets battled through a deep field to place 10th. Both the men’s and women’s team seasons peaked at the Canadian University Rowing Association National Championships, where host team McGill held its own against the country’s best. The Redbirds finished 6th of 28 teams, and the Martlets 10th of 28. The rowing program enjoyed a competitive, upward-trending season that showcased depth and national relevance.
Martlets Rugby: B-
Women’s Rugby’s 1–5 record must not obscure one of the best moments of McGill Athletics’ semester: A miraculous 38–35 comeback over the Bishop’s University Gaiters to close McGill’s season, with the Martlets finally overcoming a 16-game losing streak. Behind by 21 at the start of the second half, McGill stormed back with four unanswered tries, capped by Evelyne Desmarais’s game-winning try and conversion in injury time. While the overall results reflect a rebuilding group, the team showed clear improvement in their structure, fitness, and attacking ambition. Ending the year with their first win since 2023 would have given the program genuine momentum moving forward, if not for the unprecedented cuts to the varsity cohort announced on Nov. 20.
Redbirds Rugby: A
McGill’s Men’s Rugby squad had quite a strong season, cruising to an impressive 73‑3 win over the Carleton University Ravens in their RSEQ opener and finishing with a 5–1–0 record overall—achieving second place in their conference. The season featured several standout performances: A 45‑19 win over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, where the Redbirds scored seven tries and a bonus point, and a powerful 50‑25 Hardy Cup victory over the Concordia Stingers that sealed McGill’s status as a top team. Notably, players Henry (Harry) Corkum and Brad Hunger both earned first‑team All‑Canadian honours for their offensive work and consistency.
Martlets Soccer: B
Women’s Soccer had an up‑and‑down fall season, finishing with an overall record of 5–7–4, and a fourth‑place finish in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). The team showed grit with a key 3-1 win on Seniors Day and during a 2-0 victory in their final regular‑season match to secure their postseason spot. But offensive struggles held them back for the majority of the season; with just 11 goals scored, their attack lacked consistency. Defensively, the Martlets held together well under pressure, giving themselves chances late in close games. In the end, their playoff qualification and resilience throughout the season impressed, but limited scoring kept the Martlets from notably advancing.
Redbirds Soccer: B
The Men’s Soccer team had a season of mixed results, finishing 4–4–8 overall to land them just outside RSEQ playoffs. Their highlights included a 3-0 win over Université du Québec à Montréal’s Citadins, and strong individual performances from Lefika Noko, Esteban Roy, and freshman Romain Dallery. But inconsistency took a toll on the team throughout the season, with heavy losses, scoreless draws, and missed goal opportunities limiting their progression. Solid defence and standout players give hope for next year’s prospects, but the Redbirds ultimately did not advance as expected.
Sports Editor Clara Smyrski and Sports Staff Writer Jenna Payette are members of the McGill Women’s Field Hockey team, and Sports Staff Writer Zain Ahmed is a member of the McGill Men’s Rugby team. Smyrski, Payette, and Ahmed were not involved in the writing, editing, or publication of their team’s respective sections of this article.
