CAMBRIDGE, MA – West Chester women's rugby went 2-2 in the Crimson 7's at Harvard University on Saturday. Along with the Golden Rams, the competitive day featured teams from Harvard, Dartmouth, Army, Sacred Heart, Mount Saint Mary's, American International.
The all-NIRA 7's tournament left WCU as the plate champs after an overall successful day for the Golden Rams, carrying two wins and two losses.
In the first match against Harvard, West Chester lost 22-19. The Golden Rams scored 14 points in the last few minutes to draw closer to the eventual tournament champions but the trys by
Autumn Czaplicki (Pillow, Pa./Line Mountain) and freshman
Brooke Crago (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Township) weren't enough to overcome the early deficit to Harvard.
The second match was a 32-0 loss to Army West Point after the Black Knights came out very physical and fast and beat the Golden Rams in the NIRA matchup.
West Chester redeemed itself in its 26-12 victory over American International College. The Golden Rams jumped out to an early lead on the Yellow Jackets in their first meeting since the NIRA 15's Championship in November.
Faith Morley (Glenmoore, Pa./Downingtown West) scored on a long 50-meter scamper and freshman
Ty Hickey (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) scored his first career try in the 7's record books.
The Golden Rams battled AIC once more in the Plate Championship winning 27-15. West Chester secured four first half trys; two by Czaplicki and one by
Lauren Madalian (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) and Crago, which propelled the Golden Rams to second victory over the Yellow Jackets on the day. Czaplicki's seven trys for the day set the new career trys record for a 7's season with (46) breaking the record previously held by
Lili Riley (41).
Julianna Aliprandi(Rockaway, NJ / Morris Hills) connected on 6 of 12 conversions for 12 points for the tournament.
West Chester will be back in action next weekend in Charlotte, N.C., for Queens Cup 7's on Saturday, April 9.
