Women's Rugby knocks off BU, advances to New England final

The Women's Rugby (7-0) team advanced to it's 5th conscutive New England final Saturday with a 36-10 victory over previously undefeated Boston University (6-1) in New Hampshire. "We knew they were athletic," commented Coach Derek Jenesky, "but so are we. The ladies excecuted our game plan flawlessly in the first half, and that made the difference."

Senior Captain Ashley George crashed through the BU defense from 10 meters out to put the ladies on top just five minutes into the match. Senior Laura Jean Fischer slotted the conversion and followed that up with a back line break six minutes later for an unconverted try and a 12-0 lead. BU rebounded from the Stonehill scores, to score an unconverted try of their own with 20 minutes remaining in the half, but were unable to stop the Stonehill onslaught in the final 20 minutes of the half. Three scores in a six minute span put the game out of reach as Senior Madeliene Schissel grabbed the ball at a goal line ruck and dove across for an unconverted try to restore the ladies lead to 12 points. This was followed by Senior Katie O'Malley's slashing 60 meter run for a try and the Purple and Black were in command at 22-5. Junior Taryn Blume finished of the point barage with a 22 meter scamper and with Fischer's conversion the score was 29-5 at the break.

The second half deveoped into a a battle for field position as both teams fought gamely for yards. Senior Deborah Caruso took a pop pass from Junior Shannon Clancy and raced 70 meters untouched for the teams final score of the game with 22 minutes remaining. Fischer's conversion made the score 36-5, and one more unconverted BU try in the waning moments finished off the scoring. The ladies will take on Norwich University in a re-match of last year's championship game won by Norwich 43-16. "It should be a great game," added Jenesky. "Two years ago we got them twice, last year it was their turn. This is a great New England rivalry and the fans should be treated to something special tommorrow." The game kicks off at 12:00 pm on Bremmer field on the campus of University of New Hampshire.