Women’s Rugby advances to New England Semi-Final with 32-10 victory over Bowdoin

5 different ladies scored tries as the Women’s Rugby team (6-0) toughed out a huge home win in the New England quarterfinal round.  Playing a stronger, more physical Bowdoin side, who continually slowed the pace of the game, Stonehill had to fight through endless game stoppages in order to finally impose its will on their opponents.  “We were definitely getting frustrated by the pace of the game,” commented Head Coach Derek Jenesky, “Every time we got any momentum going it seemed there would be a stoppage due to injury and it really took us out of our rhythm.”

The hard fought game would remain deadlocked for the first 15 minutes until Senior Katie O’Malley sliced through the defense from 22 meters away for an unconverted try.  10 minutes later Senior Captain Ashley George touched one down in the corner following a ruck and the ladies were off 10-0.  Bowdoin would answer with a try of their own, cutting the lead in half at 10-5, but Senior Laura Fischer slotted a penalty from 15 meters away and the ladies led 13-5 at the half. 

Sophomore Morgan Segale got the second half underway by scoring in the corner with 30 minutes remaining. Fischer’s conversion from way out would bounce of the post and through for a 20-5 lead.  Bowdoin would answer the Segale try with one of their own, but Senior Captain Brit Roy restored the 15 point cushion when she picked the ball from a ruck and touched it down near the post.  Junior Shannon Clancy finished the try scoring on the day with 10 minutes to go, breaking free from the defense to score under the posts.  Fischer’s conversion closed out the scoring on the day, and the ladies had a 32-10 triumph.

Next up for Stonehill is a New England semi final against Boston University @ 12 noon on Saturday at the University of New Hampshire.