The Bishop's University women's rugby season gets underway on Saturday as the Gaiters head into Ontario to take on the Carleton Ravens. Kickoff at Raven Field is set for 3 p.m.
 
The Gaiters head into 2017 with renewed optimism, as their lineup is bolstered by the return of 2015's leading scorer, Erika Scott (Dewittville, Que./John Abbott College), who had five tries and was named the Bishop's University female freshman athlete of the year for 2015-16.
 
She joins a squad that returns six third- and fourth-year players, led by senior scrum half Emily Norris (Stanstead, Que./Stanstead College). The Gaiters also return last year's team MVP, Taylor Merrithew (Kingston, Ont./Bishop's College School), as well as their most valuable forward (Meagan Parsons (Beaconsfield, Que./John Abbott College)), most valuable back (Gina Patenaude (West Bolton, Que./Champlain College-St. Lambert)) and rookie of the year (Katie Quinn (Rigaud, Que./John Abbott College)).
 
The Gaiters will be looking to improve on last year's 0-7 finish, and take on a Carleton squad that went 3-3-1 in 2016. The Ravens won their first three games, but finished the year on a four-game winless streak, with a tie at Montreal denying them their first-ever playoff spot. The last time the Gaiters visited Carleton was on Oct. 11, 2015, a 32-19 win for the Ravens.
 
After Saturday's game, the Gaiters return home for a four-game homestand, starting on Sunday, Sept. 10 when they host Sherbrooke.