Buffalo, NY – Saturday’s Pool A final concluded with two teams ensuring their presence at the Round of 4 in Palo Alto, CA in two weeks. However, it will be only Penn State that is competing, having defeated Stanford 32-7 in the quarterfinal matchup.
The win gives the Lions its twelfth consecutive Round of 4 berth, as well as a rematch against Mid-Atlantic foe Virginia. The match is scheduled for May 14 in Steuber Stadium.
Penn State gained an early lead, with flyhalf Sadie Anderson scooting around the defense for the games first points at 9:03. From there, the Lady Ruggers would remain in control for the rest of the half.
Fullback Lisa Henneman would have her hand in three of the remaining four tries in the period. The first would be in a 40-meter break following a scrum, which was capped off through the efforts of inside center Hanna Gregor. The senior scampered the final 10 meters, subsequently converted by Anderson – 17:32.
A multi-phase drive, minutes later, put Penn State deep into Cardinal territory again. Henneman eluded defenders to dot down the score in favor of the Lions at 20:21.
Another penalty kick awarded meters away from Stanford’s try-line gave way to the next Lions score. Scrumhalf Elena Cantorna utilized a quick tap before off-loading to captain lock Kyle Armstrong for the try – 34:14.
Cantorna and Henneman teamed up for the final try of the half, once again through a quick tap on the 5-meter-line. Henneman finished the play at 38:59.
The whistle sounded leaving the halftime score at 27-0 in favor of the Lady Ruggers.
Stanford was not ready to fold yet, dominating territory in the second half, the Cardinal scored its lone try following a scrum on the Penn State 5-meter-line. Eightman Jennifer Cooperrider broke two tackles to reach the try-zone. Fullback Jamie Lawrence connected on the subsequent kick to edge Stanford closer at the 43:08 mark.
A yellow card to Penn State hooker Kathleen Shissler (40:52) for diving over a breakdown, enabled the Cardinal drive. With a front row player missing, the Lady Ruggers were forced to remove flanker Marikah Davin for the duration of the sin-bin, in order to have replacement hooker Alyssa Boff take the field.
Despite being a player down, Penn State answered the Stanford score, with Cantorna quick-tapping on a penalty and off-loading to flanker Kelsey Corbett who pushed through defenders for the score – 50:17.
It would be the final score of the game, but certainly not the end of the excitement. Two additional yellow cards would be issued, putting Penn State down to just 13 members for a 3-minute period of time in the game. Replacement eightman Christiane Pheil was the first to be cited for a breakdown infringement at 66:22. Flanker replacement Jackie Cairns followed at the 73:10 mark for pulling down a maul.
Stanford found itself within striking distance many times throughout the second half, but could not capitalize on the field position.
Final score Penn State 32, Stanford 7.
The win is Penn State’s fourth consecutive victory over Stanford.
To reach the Round of 8 contest, Penn State defeated the University of Northern Iowa 46-12 on Friday.
Roster:
Penn State: 1. Lauren Poole (Onyekwere @ 62), 2. Kathleen Shissler (Boff @63), 3. Lauren Russert, 4. Kyle Armstrong (c), 5. Rebecca Koons (Sullivan @71), 6. Kelsey Corbett (Cairns @ 55), 7. Marikah Davin (Boff @42 *SBOFFFR) (Pheil @62), 8. Annie Lucas, 9. Elena Cantorna (Barto @ 60), 10. Sadie Anderson, 11. Kasey Ferlic (Lindsey @ 77), 12. Hanna Gregor, 13. Deven Owsiany (L. Shissler @ 78), 14. Lauren Barber, 15. Lisa Henneman, 16. Katie Sullivan, 17. Kay Onyekwere, 18. Alyssa Boff, 19. Christiane Pheil, 20. Jackie Cairns, 21. Lauren Shissler, 22. Olivia Lindsey, 23. Brie Barto
*Replacement For Front-Row Forward – Safety
Stanford: 1. Alex Wolens, 2. Jessica Talbert, 3. Daniela Bernstein, 4. Katie Lampert, 5. Molly Kinsella (Kanichy @ 30 – Blood, return @ 33) (Kanichy @ 77), 6. Ellen Danford, 7. Frances Wehrein (c), 8. Jennifer Cooperrider, 9. Olabisi Ibrahim, 10. Melanie Nacousi, 11. Michelle Teo (Eilbert @ 40), 12. Elizabeth Stevenson, 13. Amelia Villiness, 14. Evie Pless, 15. Jamie Lawrence, 16. (no number) Kelly Labuff, 17. Sarah Roe, 18. Maxine Fonua, 19. MichaeLynn Kanichy, 20. Jamaica Osorio, 21. Shannon Moskitis, 22. Charlotte Eilbert, 23. Jennifer Bido, 24. Michelle Battle, 25. Carly Kohler
