Rugby Topples NIRA Rival Queens College To Remain Undefeated

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Autumn Czpalicki (Pillow, Pa / Line Mountain High School) had a milestone day, scoring her 100th career point and three tries as West Chester defeated Queens (NC) 38-19 today at host James Madison University. Following the victory, West Chester is now 7-0 (5-0 NIRA) on the season while Queens dropped their first game of the season, now standing with a 5-1 (4-1 NIRA) record.
 
How it happened:

• Five minutes into the match, Queens scored a try and conversion to take an early lead. | Queens 7-0
• At the 28th minute, Heather Spangler (Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) scored her first career try, combing a Kylie Corless (Wrightstown, Pa / Archbishop Wood High School)
•  conversion to tie the game at seven. | WCU 7-7
• Czaplicki scored her first try of the day in the 37th minute to give the Golden Rams the lead. | WCU 12-7
• The Royals retaliated in the final minute of the first half, recording a try to tie the game. | WCU 12-12
• Six minutes into the second half, the Royals took the lead with a try and conversion. | Queens 19-12
• With the wind at their backs, the Golden Rams took over for the rest of the second half. Faith Morley (Glenmoore, Pa. / Downingtown West) tied the match with her first career try. Corinne Gallagher (Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville) completed the conversion. | WCU 19-19
• Heather Spangler scored her second try of the day in the 59th minute, giving West Chester the lead. | WCU 24-19
• Czaplicki scores twice more in the 70th and 78th minutes, solidifying the Golden Rams' lead. Corless connected on both conversions. | WCU 38-19

Inside the numbers:

• Both Heather Spangler and Faith Morley recorded their first collegiate try today, combining for 15 points on the day.
• Autumn Czaplicki scored her 100th collegiate point today on her first try today. The sophomore now has 110 points over her two years in the program.
• West Chester's victory over Queens solidifies their place as the No. 1 ranked team in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association's Tier II.
• The Golden Rams have outscored their NIRA opponents 156-64 this season. 

Outside the box:
 
Head Coach Tony DeRemer on the Golden Rams' second half success: "We had the wind in the 2nd half which helped us to play the majority of the 2nd half in their end of the field.  With the wind at our backs, Corless and Haley Spangler (Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) took turns pumping kicks into Queens end of the field and they were unable to get out of trouble."
 
Up next:
 
The Golden Rams wrap up NIRA competition next week as they travel to New York to face off against LIU Post. Their match will take place next Saturday and will start at 1:00 p.m.