Stanford, Ca. – A strong performance from the United States Military Academy (Army) in the national championship proved fatal for Penn State, losing 33-29. Despite shutting the Black Knights out in the second half and adding two tries of its own in that time, the Lions could not overcome the deficit created by winger Anne Lee, who scored all of Army’s points on the day.
The loss marks the first time Penn State has fallen in competition since 2009, when it fell to the United States Naval Academy during the regular season, 41-0.
Penn State opened the game in a hurry, dominating field position and pushing through the Army defense twice for tries within the first few minutes of the match. Prop Lauren Poole was able to dot down following a breakdown a meter out from the try-line. Flyhalf Sadie Anderson converted on the play.
Next was inside-center Hanna Gregor, dashing around the Army defenders for a 20-meter break and subsequent score.
From there, Lee responded with three tries and two conversions to put Army in the lead. The first coming off a 25-meter break, next a 50-meter dash, and finally through an intercepted pass from winger Lauren Barber by Jessica Sexauer, who offloaded to Lee to finish the 75-meter run.
Barber responded to her handling error, picking off the next pass on the ensuing kickoff. The freshman eluded defenders to scamper 25 meters for the try.
Minutes later, Lee scooted around the defense for a fourth time in the half, this time finishing a 60-meter break. The cadet converted on the play.
To round out the period, Lee added the final scores for Army from 25 meters out and successive conversion kick.
The Lions found themselves meters from the Black Knight try-line on several occasions in the second half, but could not convert on the opportunities. Flanker Christiane Pheil struck midway through the period to edge Penn State closer.
A nail-biting finish ensued with Barber breaking the defense with minutes to go, bringing the Army lead to just four. Penn State immediately was able to place the ball in Black Knight territory through an Anderson kick, to reach touch. Despite the Lions stealing the lineout, Army was able to turn the ball over and find touch to finish the game.
The win results in Army’s first national championship title, which was also the team’s first appearance in the final round.
Penn State’s season has concluded, boasting a 20-1 record.
Penn State: 1. Lauren Russert 2. Alyssa Boff (Shissler @ 60) 3. Lauren Poole (Sullivan @ 73) 4. Kyle Armstrong (c) 5. Jackie Cairns (Koons @ 60) 6. Kelsey Corbett 7. Christiane Pheil 8. Annie Lucas (Mellott @ 73) 9. Elena Cantorna (Mesa @ 75) 10. Sadie Anderson 11. Kasey Ferlic 12. Hanna Gregor 13. Deven Owsiany 14. Lauren Barber 15. Lisa Henneman 16. Kay Onyekwere 17. Katie Sullivan (Onyekwere @ 78 – Blood, return @ 79) 18. Rebecca Koons 19. Stephanie Mellott 20. Kathleen Shissler 21. Olivia Lindsey 22. Kate Flanagan 23. Amanda Mesa
Army: 1. Ashley April 2. Megan Liesenfelt 3. Brianna Anglin 4. Kimberly Shine (Phelps @78) 5. Emily Taylor 6. Sara Lee 7. Melissa Niehus (Peterson @ 58) 8. Kayla Orvik 9. Marie Timm 10. Kaitlyn Kelly 11. Anne Lee (Cabigting @ 79) 12. Sharron Gianessi 13. Sylvia Thomas 14. Ashley Miller 15. Jessica Sexauer 16. Elizabeth Olcese 17. Margaret Budke 18. Raeseana Phelps 19. Karley Marquet 20. Rachel Cabigting 21. Scostia Peterson 22. Emily McCarthy 23. Yecenia Diaz
Scoring:
Penn State:
Try: Poole (6:47), Gregor (10:19), Barber (29:48, 78:00), Pheil (58:18)
Conversions: Anderson 2-5
Army:
Try: Lee (17:16, 19:10, 28:00, 33:57, 39:02)
Conversions: Lee 4-5
