The women’s rugby team defeated Colorado College 51-5 in the opening round of the American Collegiate Rugby Association/USA Rugby D-II Tournament on Sunday at Pickard Field.
“This was the first game [this season] where we had to fight for every point we scored,” said Addison Carvajal ’16. “Colorado finally gave us a game where we could really test our abilities.”
In the first half of the match, Bowdoin quickly took the lead by scoring six half tries—two tries apiece from Randi London ’15, Pamela Zabala ’17, and Vianney Gomezgil Yaspik ’18. Hayleigh Kein ’15 scored the final try, while London converted three kicks to put the team up 36-0 at the half.
In the second half, Samantha Hoegle ’17, Carvajal, and Emily Athanas-Linden ’15 each added a try apiece to the score. Colorado finally got on the scoreboard with less than five minutes remaining, closing the game with a final score of 51-5.
Head Coach MaryBeth Mathews said that this was the best match of the season for the team.
“The team executed and supported very well,” she said. “The forward pack did a great job winning possession in scrums and lineouts, supporting the ball carrier and putting Colorado under pressure. The back line connected very well on several smart running plays, piercing holes in the defense and finding space in which to run.”
“It was the perfect balance of teamwork,” Carvajal ’16. “Everyone took responsibility for themselves and we truly played 15 as one.”
The win allows the Bears (9-0) to advance to regionals this coming weekend, which we be held at Dartmouth College. Bowdoin will play against Rutgers in the second round of the tournament.
Looking ahead at their upcoming match against Rutgers, Mathews said the team looks forward to playing their best defense against a squad with good kicking tactics.
“Everything we’ve heard about Rutgers is that they’re a well-coached team that plays the game well,” said Mathews.
Carvajal said that Rutgers will prove to be a tough match for the team.
“The only thing in our control is how we play our game,” she said. “Rutgers could score on us—we have never had that happen.”
Mathews said she has the utmost faith in the Bears.
“I feel very confident in the team and in each of their abilities,” she said. “I know what they are capable of if challenged, and they step it up when they met the competition. We’re looking forward to playing the match.”