#11 Women’s Rugby completes 5th consecutive undefeated regular season by knocking off previously undefeated URI on Senior Day
It has been 29 games and over five years since the last time the Stonehill women’s rugby team lost a regular season match. “It was our first game of the year, six years ago,” recalls Head Coach Derek Jenesky “We were coming off an 0-5 season the year before and lost our first game 25-7 to Babson. I thought we might never win again.”
Well they have, and since that time the fortunes of the program have turned dramatically. This year’s senior class was an amazing 33-4 heading into its clash against previously undefeated URI (3-1-1). Knowing another victory would not only prolong the streak, but more importantly would give them the conference’s #1 seed and a home playoff game next week, the seniors took the field for their last regular season home game.
In front of a large Saturday morning crowd, Junior Shannon Clancy got the Home team on the board first, as some nice back line passing led to the Clancy breaking a tackle and scoring under the post. Senior Laura Fischer converted the score and the ladies were off and running. URI fought hard, and the game remained 7-0 until senior Katie O’Malley intercepted a URI pass and raced untouched 70 meters for the score. Fischer's conversion would be followed by a penalty kick by the senior and at the half the Ladies led 17-0.
The Second half began as the first one ended, as Senior Captain Ashley George, Fischer and Senior Olivia Gorab all scored converted trys for the home team and with 10 minutes remaining the score was 38-0. Two late tries by URI made the score 38-10, and the seniors were victorious again. “It was a great win for our seniors,” continued Jenesky, “They have meant so much to the program and the Stonehill community over these last four years.”
The Ladies next game will be home next Saturday, October 23rd against Bowdoin College.
Stonehill seniors:
Deborah Caruso, Kaitlyn Cedrone, Lauren Fernberg, Laura Fischer, Jess Giammalvo, Olivia Gorab, Maeghan Kilfoil, Marianne, Mcelewee, Katie O’Malley, Cassie Peterson, Diana Rojas, Madeleine Schissel, Teresa Tran, Ashley George (capt), Brittany Roy (capt)
