BRUNSWICK, ME.- The West Chester University women's rugby team (0-3) returned to action away from home on Saturday morning as the Golden Rams made the trip to Maine for a rematch of the 2025 National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Semifinals against Bowdoin (1-1). West Chester fell behind early but stormed back to take a 17-13 lead with under 10 minutes to play, before the host Polar Bears capitalized on a Golden Ram turnover to score with three minutes to play and finish with an 18-17 victory over the visiting Golden Rams.
Bowdoin took an eight-point lead into the halftime break and scored quickly in the second half to take a 13-0 lead.
Christelle Adikpeto (Abomey-Calavi, Benin/Moon Area) got the comeback bid underway with a try, and
Nina McDowell (Mercersburg, Pa./Mercersburg) added a try of her own moments later, the first of her Golden Ram career, to cut the deficit to 13-10 with 18 minutes to play.
With under 10 minutes to play, Adikpeto picked up her second try of the afternoon, and after a successful McDowell conversion, West Chester held a 17-13 lead and appeared just moments away from its first win of the young season.
West Chester committed a costly turnover on the ensuing kickoff, and Bowdoin took full advantage of this turnover, driving into score with three minutes to play to take an 18-17 lead.
Leading by a point in the final minutes, Bowdoin stiffened defensively and stopped West Chester as the Polar Bears escaped with an 18-17 victory.
Up Next
West Chester will be back in action on Saturday morning against Mount St. Mary's beginning at 11 a.m.
