Taking on intra-state rival University of Maine-Farmington, the women's rugby team made a defiant statement, winning the game by a resounding score of 79-0.
"The game was a scoring fest with a lot of attacking opportunities," Head Coach MaryBeth Mathews said. "Their victory was a team effort; nine different players scored tries throughout the game, which shows the strength of the team as a whole."
Evident by the score, Farmington could not withstand the Polar Bears' intensity.
"Whenever they got the ball we tackled them and got it back, but they were good sports and never gave up mentally or physically," Mathews said.
According to Mathews, Maria Koenigs '09 played a fantastic game judging when to make tactical kicks in order to advance and maintain possession.
"Her kicks were so good that we didn't lose possession or Farmington was under so much pressure that they kicked it backed or fumbled it," Mathews said.
Koenigs had the job of deciding when to continue passing the ball along the line or kick it further, and Mathews said she read the game well and made good tactical decisions. Koenigs also scored a try in the first half.
Rookie Danielle Willey '12 scored two tries in the first half and was very strong running with the ball and advancing the team.
Becky Stevens '11 was responsible for 24 points by scoring a try in each half and converting four kicks in the first half and three in the second.
In the first half, Sara Faurer '11 and Catherine Jager '09 each scored a try and Lizbeth Lopez '09 scored two.
With a lead of 43-0 after the first half, many alternates got more playing time. Anna Nicol '11 and Danielle Carniaux '10 each scored a try, and rookie Onyi Esonu '12 scored two tries.
"The fact that we still racked up points in the second half with substitutions was amazing," Mathews said.
Although the University of Maine-Farmington didn't have a B-side, they re-shuffled their team and played a shortened second game. The Polar Bears lost 10-0.
"It was a good experience because defense wins games so we've got to learn how to play defense," Mathews said. The ladies will play University of New Hampshire on October 4 at 2 p.m. After an explosive offensive preformance the team is working on their defense for the stronger UNH side.
"We will put pressure on our opponent and up our physicality a notch and our mental game," Mathews said.