BRUNSWICK, Me.- The West Chester University women's rugby (5-3) team punched its ticket back to the NIRA Division II Championship match against American International after posting a 19-5 victory over Bowdoin (5-2) on a frigid Saturday morning in Maine.
"This was the most well-rounded game we have played all year," said an excited head coach,
Tony DeRemer, following the victory. "Our defense played great and had several goal-line stops, and we played a great offensive game and out possessed Bowdoin really well. The forward line of
Cecilee MacCheyne (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), Clare Hurley (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East), Mia Moore (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), and Jade McCool (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Lower Moreland) was outstanding today and did a great job of leading us in the victory."
A seesaw matchup early through the first 20 minutes, Bowdoin jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the 23-minute mark of the first half.
West Chester marched into Bowdoin territory late in the half but could not finish the drive as the Polar Bears held a slim 5-0 lead at the half.
West Chester seized control in the second half as
Emma Davies (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) crashed up the middle for a try and hit the conversion to give the Golden Rams a 7-5 lead.
West Chester continued to dominate possession as
Sofia Lasonio (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) finished off a drive with a try of her own with 14 minutes to play before
Camryn Snow (Exton, Pa./West Chester East) broke free for a 50-meter scamper off a dummy pass, which gave West Chester a 19-5 lead with eight minutes to play.
The Golden Ram defense stifled Bowdoin for the final eight minutes to finish off the 19-5 semifinal victory and punch its ticket back to the NIRA Division II Championship match for the first time since 2021.
West Chester will have a rematch of its 2021 Championship game as the Golden Rams face American International at Harvard next Saturday afternoon.
