The Saskatoon Valkyries’ touchdowns in the first half of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League’s 2024 championship game were scored by the firm of Girolami, Girolami and Girolami.
Haley Girolami caught two TD passes to help the Valkyries assume a 26-0 halftime lead over the Regina Riot and eventually win 36-21 on June 23 at Leibel Field. (Scroll down for complete statistics.)
Saskatoon’s other first-half major was the result of an interception return by Danielle Girolami.
“I was so happy for her,’’ Haley says of her sister. “That was her first-ever pick-six, so it was a huge moment. I just sprinted down the sideline to see her and celebrate with her.
“One of the coaches up in the booth said he’s never heard my mom yell so loud. It was a big family affair of excitement.”
Not to mention consistency.
All three Girolami touchdowns were 10-yarders — majors that were celebrated by the sisters’ parents, Ricci and Tammy.
Haley, 28, and Danielle, 25, have been teammates with the Valkyries for six years.
“It’s absolutely amazing just to play on the same team as her,” Haley says.
“My first year, she was a receiver with me and that was tons of fun. And then to get her on to defence, that was super-exciting because we get to compete in practice against each other, which is always fun.
“As well, we can watch each other play. When I’m off, I can cheer for her and, when she’s off, she watches and cheers for me.
“It’s pretty special, honestly.”
What are the Girolami-versus-Girolami matchups like during workouts?
“They get heated, but It’s always fun,” Haley says with a laugh.
“It’s good, though, to challenge each other and to get good reps in against each other to get us ready for games, so we’re lucky that way.”
The family ties extend to Valkyries safety Jaimyn Mantyka, who is a cousin of the Girolami sisters.
“The team already is a family,” Haley notes. “Then to just have family alongside you, that makes it a true family affair.
“On top of the friends you’ve made in the sport, it’s amazing. I honestly don’t have words for it. It’s so special.”
Saskatoon and Regina are the only teams to have won a championship since the WWCFL’s inception in 2011.
The Valkyries captured the first four league titles before the Riot won three championships in a span of four seasons.
After Saskatoon reclaimed WWCFL supremacy in 2019, the league was idle for two years in a row due to COVID-19.
Post-pandemic, Saskatoon has stretched its streak of championships to four.
“Our team is exceptional,” Haley Girolami says. “We have such strong players. They’re skilled athletes physically, but also mentally.
“They’re super-competitive, super-driven, and they love the sport and put a lot of time into it. No one just shows up and plays.
“Everyone is coaching and studying the game. We’re all students of the game. We love the game and we want to learn more.
“We’re all trying to grow football in Saskatchewan as a whole, but definitely in Saskatoon. It’s just amazing when we get to try and be role models for younger female players and to get to have so much fun on the field, because we have so much talent.
“The years of winning back it up. It’s so much fun. We have no holes on defence or offence, so it’s a dominant team and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.”
The Riot and Valkyries both receive support from the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation, which provides each team with $20,000 per year to assist with players’ scholarships.
SUNDAY’S SUMMARY
SASKATOON VALKYRIES 36, REGINA RIOT 21
First Quarter
Sask — TD Haley Girolami 10 pass from Alex Eyolfson (Grace Moehler convert)
Second Quarter
Sask — FG Grace Moehler 29
Sask — TD Danielle Girolami 10 interception return (Grace Moehler convert)
Sask — Safety touch
Sask — TD Haley Girolami 10 pass from Alex Eyolfson (Grace Moeller convert).
Third Quarter
Sask — FG Grace Moehler 23
Reg — TD Jocelyn King-McGillivray 8 pass from Aimee Kowalski (Katie Kichula convert)
Fourth Quarter
Sask — TD Emmarae Dale 1 pass from Sarah Wright (Grace Moehler convert)
Reg — TD Aimee Kowalski 1 run (no convert)
Reg — TD Aimee Kowalski 1 run (Katie Kichula two-point convert)
RUSHING
Saskatoon: Sarah Wright 21-103; Alex Eyolfson 3-35; Drew Lundquist 4-24; Teagan Craig 5-21.
Regina: Katie Kichula 8-31; Bethany O’Toole 4-16; Aimee Kowalski 3-4; Eve Neithercut 1-0.
PASSING
Saskatoon: Alex Eyolfson 14-25, 212 yards, 2 TDs, 3 interceptions; Sarah Wright 1-2, 1 yard, 1 TD, 0 interceptions.
Regina: Aimee Kowalski 22-43, 249 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions.
RECEIVING
Saskatoon: Haley Girolami 8-98; Ricki Obed 3-76; Reed Thorstad 3-38; Emmarae Dale 1-1.
Regina: Jacey Goebel 4-71; Jocelyn King-McGillivray 4-67; Bethany O’Toole 4-36; Hope Jordens 5-35; Shanelle Rioux 3-32; Shayden Magnus 1-12; Katie Kichula 1-(minus-4).
PUNTING
Saskatoon: Grace Moehler 6-161, 26.8 avg.
Regina: Aimee Kowalski 7-167, 23.9 avg.
PUNT RETURNS
Saskatoon: Jaimyn Mantyka 3-21.
Regina: Jacey Goebel 5-18.
KICKOFF RETURNS
Saskatoon: Kelsey Murphy1-4; Haley Girolami 1-0; Reed Thorstad 1-0.
Regina: Jacey Goebel 2-26; Eve Neithercut 1-15.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Saskatoon (solo-assisted): Kelsey Murphy 4-2; Daneille Girolami 3-5; Shaylyn de Jong 3-2; Skylar Smith 2-1; Mykayla Laroque 2-0; Emry Halbgewachs 1-3; Danaye Holynski 1-3; Emmarae Dale 1-1; Jaimyn Mantyka 1-2; Sydney Schenn 1-1; Haley Girolami 1-0; Grace Farthing 0-1.
Regina (solo-assisted): Rae-Lynn Schaffer 8-2; Ashley Clayton 4-0; Alisha Glaude 3-3; Kat Neigum 3-0; Yetunde Ogundibo 1-3; Quinn Petrinchuk 1-3; Emilie Belanger 1-1; Keilyn Howie 1-1; Jessie Noname 1-1; Abby Ounsworth 1-1; Keyara Donaldson 1-0; Ashlyn Nicholson 1-0; Chris Fox 0-2.
SPECIAL TEAMS TACKLES
Saskatoon (solo-assisted): Emmarae Dale 1-1; Mykayla Laroque 1-1; Lexi Beuker 1-0; Jaimyn Mantyka 1-0; Mackenzie Young 1-1; Teagan Craig 0-1; Sarah Wright 0-1.
Regina (solo-assisted): Emilie Belanger 1-0; Brittany Boschman 1-0; Aimee Kowalski 1-0; Hope Neithercut 1-0; Shanelle Rioux 1-0
TACKLES FOR A LOSS
Saskatoon: Emry Halbgewachs 1.
Regina: Abby Ounsworth 1.
INTERCEPTION RETURNS
Saskatoon: Kelsey Murphy 1-27; Danielle Girolami 1-10.
Regina: Keilyn Howie 1-10; Kat Neigum 1-3; Kamryn Maurer 1-0.
PASS KNOCKDOWNS
Saskatoon: Shaylyn de Jong 1; Danielle Girolami 1; Mykayla Laroque 1; Jackie Semple 1; Skylar Smith 1.
Regina: Kamryn Maurer 1; Rae-Lynn Schaffer 1; Yetunde Ogundibo 1.
