WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Despite opening its day with a setback against Navy, the West Chester University women's rugby team finished the day on a high note, winning its home Tournament for the third year in a row with a 21-17 victory over Navy in the Championship game.
"It was an emotional day and a really well-deserved outcome for our team, especially for the 10 seniors who played their final games at home this afternoon," said head coach
Tony DeRemer. I'm so proud of this group and so happy that they were able to celebrate one more Championship on their home turf, which means so much to all of them. This team is so resilient and are truly never out of any game they play, so I'm really looking forward to the Emperor 7's, the next few weeks of practice, and the Collegiate Championships in DC at the end of April."
West Chester started its day with a 25-12 setback vs Navy before bouncing back with a dominant 43-0 win over Frostburg State.
Brooke Crago (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) scored three trys for 15 points in the win, while
Ty Hickey (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) added two trys and two conversions for 14 points.
Taylor Baldwin (Joppa, Md./Perry Hall Christian) and
Ashlyn Wissler (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) each added one try each.
In the semifinals against Quinnipiac, West Chester posted its first-ever 7's win over the Bobcats by a slim 21-20 final. A back-and-forth affair throughout the afternoon, Hickey scored a pair of trys for West Chester, but it was the conversions that sealed the match for the Golden Rams as the team was a perfect 3-for-3, while Quinnipiac was 0-for-4. Hickey converted the third conversion, while
Lily Rhode (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) was true on a pair to send West Chester through to the Championship.
In a rematch against Navy, West Chester stormed out to an early lead with trys from Hickey and Crago before Navy stormed back to make the match tight at the half. Following the break, Hickey broke free for an 80-meter try, which gave West Chester a 21-17 lead that the team was able to hold on to, ultimately securing the win. Rhode converted all three trys for West Chester in the four-point triumph.
The WCU gold team was also in action and went 0-4 in their tournament draw today. Addy LaCarrubba had two trys for the Rams, and
Laura Smego and
Carleigh Welsh each added a try of their own.
West Chester heads to Princeton University next Sunday for the Emperor 7's tournament.
