ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Christelle Adikpeto (Abomey Calavi, Benin/Moon Area) scored two trys, including the game-winner in the final five minutes of the match to help the West Chester women's rugby team (4-2) complete a furious 22-19 comeback victory over Navy on Saturday afternoon in Maryland.
West Chester found itself behind early as Navy jumped out to a 14-0 lead before a breakaway try by
Bridget Kowalski (Chester Springs, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) cut the deficit to 14-5 heading into the halftime break.
Navy also opened the second half scoring, jumping out to a 19-5 lead just 10 minutes into the second half. Adikpeto sparked the comeback effort with a try just moments later, and
Camryn Snow (Exton, Pa./West Chester East) scored 19-15 with 11 minutes to go with a 60-meter try.
With under five minutes to play, West Chester earned a penalty five meters out. Adikpeto continued her dominant rookie campaign, carrying three Navy defenders in to score the go-ahead try with four minutes to go.
Emma Davies (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) booted a successful conversion, which gave West Chester its first lead of the day at 22-19 with just four minutes to play in the match.
Leading for the first time with under four minutes to play, West Chester controlled the ball well to close out the match and secure its fourth win in as many attempts.
With this victory, West Chester is now on its longest winning streak since the 2021 season when the Golden Rams made their second consecutive NIRA Tier II Championship game appearance.
Up Next
West Chester returns home next Saturday morning to take on Davenport beginning at 10 a.m.
