For the fifth consecutive time, the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) championship has been claimed by the Penn State Lady Ruggers. With a decisive 53-10 victory over the University of Virginia on Sunday, the Lions not only secured the top seed representing the MARFU, but the number one overall seed in the USA Rugby National Championship Series as well.
Penn State now moves on to face the University of Northern Iowa, the sixteenth seed, in Buffalo, NY on April 29. The Panthers enter the national playoffs as the second team out of the Midwest Rugby Football Union.
It will be no small feat for Northern Iowa though, as Penn State is undefeated in its first round playoff matches. The only time the Lions failed to reach the second round of the Championship Series was in 1999, when it failed to reach the tournament altogether.
Six players dotted down tries for Penn State on the day, with Sadie Anderson converting on four of eight attempts (Annie Lucas attempted the final conversion kick). Lauren Barber, Kasey Ferlic, and Lisa Henneman were each able to find the try-zone twice, along with the efforts of Rebecca Koons, Lucas, and captain Kyle Armstrong.
Virginia came out of the gate ready to play, striking just two minutes into the game, with Erica Cavanaugh dotting down for the Cavaliers. It would be all Penn State from there, taking a 36-5 lead into halftime. Koons initiated the scoring frenzy for the Lady Ruggers, followed by two tries a piece from Ferlic and Barber, and subsequently Henneman at the 40-minute mark.
The second half proved to be nearly identical to that of the first, with Virginia opening up the scoring just minutes in. Sharlyn Carter was able to elude defenders for what would be the Cavaliers final points of the day. The Lions took off from there, with Lucas, Henneman, and Armstrong each finding the try-zone.
To reach the final, Penn State defeated the Naval Academy 31-10 on Saturday.
A converted penalty try lifted the Lions out to an early lead on the day, but would not last for long as Navy would intercept a pass to scamper 40-meters for a try, evening the game.
Despite several more chances for the Midshipmen, it would be the only try of the day for Navy. A penalty kick in the second half would be the only other points added for the Naval Academy.
The Lady Ruggers on the other hand would see Barber, Poole, Anderson, and Henneman all reach the try-zone for the Lions, assuring a spot in the following day’s championship.
The winner of the Penn State vs. Northern Iowa match will then move on to play either Dartmouth, the first representative out of the North-East Rugby Football Union and ninth overall seed, or the second representative from the Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union (PCRFU), whom is yet to be determined and the national eighth seed.
To prepare for the upcoming events, Penn State will be hosting another national champion, taking on the New York Rugby Club on Saturday, April 16. The match is slated for 2:00 PM at West Campus Pitch.
Lineup vs. Navy
Lineup: Lauren Poole, Alyssa Boff, Kay Onyekwere, Kyle Armstrong, Stephanie Mellot, Kelsey Corbett, Nadia Garnett, Annie Lucas, Amanda Mesa, Lauren Shissler, Olivia Lindsey,
Reserves: Kate O’Connell, Kathleen Shissler, Marikah Davin, Jackie Cairns, Kathryn Flanagan
Lineup vs. UVA
Lineup: Lauren Poole (Onyekwere @ 65), Kathleen Shissler (Wilson @ 60), Lauren Russert (Drouilhet @ 60), Kyle Armstrong, Rebecca Koons (Pendergast @ 55), Jackie Cairns (Curtis @ 58), Marikah Davin, Annie Lucas, Elena Cantorna (Barto @ 60), Sadie Anderson, Kasey Ferlic, Hannah Gregor (Luzier @ 72), Deven Owsiany, Lauren Barber, Lisa Henneman
Reserves: Kay Onyekwere, Jeanne Drouilhet, Carlee Wilson, Caitlin Pendergast, Alanna Luzier, Amber Curtis, Brie Barto, Maggie Creciun
