#9 Ranked Women’s Rugby continues spring tune-up with a 48-0 victory over DI UMASS

 With Nationals looming on the horizon, the #9 nationally ranked Women’s Rugby team played its second to last tune-up game, Saturday morning on the Rec Fields.  Division 1 UMASS Amherst would be the spring’s next opponent after last week’s deluge of points against Wheaton.

Junior Shannon Clancy got the scoring started as she took a feed on the outside and tight roped the sideline en route to the score.  Senior Katie O’Malley doubled the lead midway through the half, intercepting the ball at mid field and racing untouched for the try.  Junior Fiona Lunney capped off the first half scoring crashing through the defense for a try, and when Senior Laura Fischer converted the final two tries, the ladies led 19-0 at the half.

Senior Ashley George helped the ladies pull away in the second half, scoring 3 of the teams first 4 tries, all of them tearing through the defense on long runs.  Clancy would again touchdown amidst George's scoring barrage with Fischer converting 2 of the 4 scores.  O’Malley put the finishing touches on the afternoon breaking clear of the defense for her second on the day and the 48-0 final.

“All in all I thought it was a great day,” Coach Derek Jenesky spoke after the game, “We knew when we finished in the fall that if we wanted to compete for the National Title we would have to change some things around, putting different people in different spots, allowing us to get deeper as a team.  So far it is showing dividends, as I really like our toughness and speed.  We have a ways to go, but this is a step forward for us.”

The ladies final tune-up before the National Sweet 16 is next Saturday at home against Bentley College.