Wilmington, DE – Going undefeated in pool-play, the Lady Ruggers were able to advance to the final at Subaru Sevens held at Alopacas Run State Park on Saturday. The day included victories over Northern Virginia (NOVA), Princeton, and Temple. Penn State could not overcome Princeton for a second time however, falling in an exciting championship match to the Tigers. Princeton was able to score a last minute try for the come-from-behind victory.
Traveling with a short squad, the tournament served as the only warm-up matches and playing time for the team in its preparation for the Collegiate Rugby Championship Invitational held June 3-5. With some players still unavailable following the fifteens final last week, only nine Lady Ruggers were able to compete.
NOVA was the first opponent for the tournament, which featured only four women’s teams. Defense proved to be the difference in the match, with Penn State capturing a shutout victory. Four different Lady Ruggers were able to find the try-zone in the match, three of the scores coming in the first half.
Score: Penn State 22, NOVA 0
Tries: Deven Owsiany (2:30), Bianca Dalal (4:40), Lane Luzier (6:00), Asia Major-Waithe (10:34)
Conversions: Elena Cantorna (0 of 2), Hanna Gregor (1 of 2)
Princeton opted for a more physical approach in the second game of the tournament. Despite a 5-5 score-line at halftime, Penn State was able to out-distance the fellow CRC team with three tries from Olivia Lindsey.
Score: Penn State 22, Princeton 5
Tries: Princeton, Lisa Henneman, Olivia Lindsey (3)
Conversions: Elena Cantorna (1 of 4)
*Game-time statistics were unavailable
The Lions were able to work on its attack, stressing Temple’s defense numerous times for the final game in pool play. Seven different players were able to mark up points for the Lady Ruggers; five respectively crossed the try-line. Lindsey again had a multi-try performance to lead the Lions.
Score: Penn State 41, Temple 7
Tries: Olivia Lindsey (0:25, 6:30), Deven Owsiany (2:50), Temple (8:10), Kellie Vetter (9:30), Bianca Dalal (11:35), Hanna Gregor (13:15)
Conversions: Temple (1 of 1), Hanna Gregor (1 of 3), Lisa Henneman (1 of 1), Elena Cantorna (1 of 2)
With only four teams in the women’s bracket, the championship match took place immediately following pool play. Having only lost to Penn State, Princeton was the team to take on the Lions for the Subaru Sevens title. This time however, Princeton’s physical style proved to be too taxing on the Lady Ruggers. A try in the final minute became the deciding factor, with the Tigers claiming the match and tournament.
Score: Penn State 15, Princeton 19
Tries: Princeton (0:50, 9:30, 19:56), Hanna Gregor (4:30), Lisa Henneman (10:00, 15:35)
Conversions: Princeton (2 of 3), Lisa Henneman (0 of 2), Elena Cantorna (0 of 1)
Bin: Princeton (7:55)-yellow
Olivia Lindsey had the most impressive performance on the day for the Lady Ruggers, with five tries.
The tournament was Penn State’s first organized series. Subaru Sevens included two CRC teams, in Princeton and Temple. Temple and Penn State are both in Pool A for the June invitational, along with Brown and Virginia. Princeton has drawn Pool B, which features Army, Navy, and North Carolina.
Army is scheduled to travel to University Park on Wednesday for additional preparation and training. Scrimmages and practice sessions are set to highlight the mid-week meeting.
Tickets to the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7’s Invitational, held on June 4 & 5 at PPL Park in Philadelphia, can be purchased through www.rugby.psu.edu. Admission costs $45 for the two-day pass, which also includes a free Drop Kick Murphy’s performance following the games on Saturday.
For more information: Jonathan Swart/Sports Information Director of Rugby/JSwart85@gmail.com
