The Penn State women faced off against UMass this morning. UMass started well and pressured a young Penn State team and actually led 15-12 into the second half. However 3 tries from fullback/wing Rachael Muir led the team to a 34-15 win.
The performance was a little disappointing because UMass came out with a lot of passion and we did not match it. We were out-worked in the forwards for much of the game and struggled to get continuity. But the team responded well and finished with a flourish with 22 points in the last 20 minutes.
There has been a lot of confusion on the other side of the bracket with BYU stating all a long that they would not play on Sunday. Last year our games were Friday and Saturday to accommodate BYU, but this year that was not the case. BYU beat UW-Milwaukee 46-7 today and then told USA Rugby that they would forfeit Sunday’s game. USA Rugby then placed UW-Milwaukee into the quarterfinals to play Penn State, but the Lady Panthers declined that opportunity. This means we get a forfeit and have qualified for the Final Four in Stanford.
We are disappointed that we did not get a game today, and we wanted to earn our right to get to Stanford. But the team will practice tomorrow and we have already started to work on our preparation.
Thanks to all the fans and parents who have supported us. Please consider helping the team get to Stanford by making a donation to the annual fund.
Penn State Pansies
Below you will see the email from the BYU coach, Tom Waqa explaining the situation. I am sorry that you are so judgmental without the full story.
Hey Alex,
I wish to correct or amend that article interview by Rugbymag Staff – Jackie that was taken a little out of context and I could be partly blamed for not communicating that clearly. It was a miscommunication on my part.
“Officials sympathized with the Pacific Coast #3 team and suggested playing its quarterfinal match against Penn State at 7 p.m. under the lights, but PSU declined, according to Waqa.”
The officials – Match Commissioner, did suggest that with me and Pete Steinberg for a Saturday night game at 7pm, but Penn State could not play a second game because their University (Penn State) would not allow them to play a second game on the same day for safety concerns. We have had previous conversations with Coach Steinberg before this tournament and he did the honor of trying to get that organized. But Penn State University NOT the Rugby Program declined that application.
We did what could as coaches, but this matter should be put to rest as we ruining our rugby reputations in the process. USA Rugby oversight is to be blamed on this one.
Thank you, Alex. Please forward email to Jackie.
Tom Waqa
BYU Womens Cougars
This post is false as it was offered by USA rugby to the Penn State coach for your team to play BYU on Saturday night so you could legitimately earn your right to play in the semi-finals. They had lights and a ref all lined up, but you declined.