Sports News
Contact: Scott C. Miller
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April 9, 2007
Women's Rugby: NU Takes 2nd at Cherry Blossom
Rosecroft, MD - The Women's Rugby team continued to impress this
weekend with a solid 2nd place finish out of eight teams in the
41st annual Cherry Blossom tournament. Battling the snow, the wind,
near-freezing temperatures, and some talented opposition, the Cadets
won 3-of-4 matches and outscored their opponents, 127-22. Sybil
Taunton and Meghan Hoskins led all Norwich scorers with 21 points
apiece and a total of 12 Wick players crossed the try-line over
the weekend.
Match I: Norwich 56 William & Mary 0
Having never faced William & Mary, the Cadets were eager to
open the series with a victory. Five minutes into the match, the
Cadets led 17-0 and showed no signs of slowing down. Brandy Young,
Berline Marcelin, and Shelby Goudy scored two tries apiece, while
Hoskins, Christine Logigian, Ashley Lally, and Clarissa Wynn each
scored one as well. Sybil Taunton managed to convert on 3-of-10
attempts from the snow-covered ground.
Match II: Norwich 19 American 10
Challenging a Division I side for the fourth time this year, the
Cadets rose to the occasion and overcame a five-point halftime deficit
for the win. Down by 10 midway through the first half, wing Brandy
Young broke the defense with the help of her speedy backs and cruised
in for Wick's first try. Norwich found some energy with the try
and trailed 10-5 at the half.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were tough as fatigue became
a factor on both sides. The persistent Norwich forwards fought through
the pain and began to control the ball and work it towards the try-line.
Relying on some traditional crash-and-ruck rugby, Christine Logigian
finally smashed her way through the defense to tie the score. Taunton
converted and Norwich led, 12-10.
The Cadets received the ensuing kickoff and methodically maintained
possession of the ball and moved it back towards the American try-line.
Once again going into goal-line mode, Norwich touched down on a
smashing run by Charity Lake. Taunton converted and the match ended
with an NU victory, 19-10.
Match III: Norwich 52 Maryland 0
For Sunday's opening match, Stephanie Hurley elected to start a
lineup that included 10 reserve players.
"We are a team and anyone willing to ride a bus for 10 hours
to be a part of that team, deserves to play," said Hurley.
"We mixed some of the new players in with a few of the more
experienced players and it was difficult to tell who was who."
Meghan Hoskins, starting her first match, tallied two tries and
was 3-of-3 on conversions. The additional scores came from Taunton,
Goudy, Marcelin, Rosalia Toro, Miranda Hulse, and Krista Barajas.
Freshmen Mallory Downs, Clarissa Wynn, Stephanie Mills, Leanna Fatula,
Jessica Pounds, and Amie Young all played well and proved their
interest in the future of the club.
Championship Match: Navy 12 Norwich 0
This match was best described by the referee upon completion as
"the hardest hitting game of women's rugby I've ever seen!"
Division I Navy opened strong, playing ball-possession rugby with
a focus on wearing down the defense. Norwich responded with good
pressure and stymied the first few Navy attacks. Eventually, Navy
broke the line and touched down for the score.
A number of Navy injuries slowed the tempo for the remainder of
the half and the Midshipmen put in one more try nearing half-time.
Facing the 12-point deficit, the Cadets stormed onto the field for
the second half and put together a number of excellent backfield
attacks. Despite the strong attacks and some outstanding goal-line
stands, the second half ended scoreless.
"Our match with Navy was the best this team has played,"
said NU Head Coach Austin Hall. "Not only did we play well,
but we refused to back down to an outstanding team. We went to Cherry
Blossom with the vision of playing Navy in the Championship and
we succeeded in making this happen."
Norwich improves to 15-3 overall for the year and 5-1 this spring.
Versus Division II teams, the Cadets are 12-1. The next match is
against Western Oregon on Saturday, April 21, in Sanford, FL as
part of USA Rugby's National Elite-8.
