by: Kim Kasnic

                With the end of October comes the end to an amazing season for the Neumann Women's Rugby team. The Lady Knights went undefeated in their regular season and in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) Tier II Championship. Many new players joined this year and almost all of the veterans from their 2014-2015 season returned. The women generated a memorable first impression in their first match against Ursinus September 19^th, winning 49-12. They would then travel to Franklin and Marshall the next week and secure a 53-12 victory. After a bye week to train and rest, the Knights reached a team record of 11 tries against Swarthmore October 10^th, only allowing them 1 try and winning 61-7. Finally, they would play their last regular season game at Muhlenberg on October 18^th, remaining undefeated with a 57-5 victory.

                However, the Women's Rugby team was far from done. The event they had been preparing for all season was just around the corner – the EPRU Tier II Championship. As the tournament commenced on a pleasant October afternoon, nerves were palpable and the energy was high. The Knights would play their first of three matches against Muhlenberg. Although they had previously defeated Muhlenberg, Neumann knew they would come back with a vengeance and did not take this game lightly. After a 40 minute match with a sloppy start, Neumann was able to organize and arise victorious, defeating Muhlenberg 48-0.  Thankfully, the Knights would have around a 2 hour break to recuperate and strategize before their next match against either Ursinus or DeSales.

                After a hard fought match, Ursinus would go on to the next round and play Neumann. Ursinus proved to be the toughest test of the day. During the first half, Neumann would only score 12 points, Ursinus's defense proved a worthy foe against the powerful forwards of Neumann. In the second half, Neumann would score 15 more points and come away with a 27-0 to victory.

                Finally, the match that Neumann had been waiting for with baited breath. With Lafayette having beaten Susquehanna, the team that had defeated Neumann in the Championship last year, Neumann was on edge. With only a 5 minute break between matches, the Lady Knights had to be mentally and physically prepared. In the first seconds of the match, Kenné Poles, the Neumann wing with incredible speed, would score a try. This set the pace for the rest of the game. The Knights controlled large portions of the match, maintaining possession the majority of the time. The forwards dominated the rucks and this domination, combined with the speed of Neumann's backs, generated an impressive offensive showing. With the last try scored, the Neumann Knights would rush onto the field, a 44-0 victory dancing around their heads. Tears would be shed, the culmination of a hard-working season melting off their shoulders. Overall in the tournament, Neumann would score 119 points (21 tries), with no team scoring against them.

                During the season there were a number of top scorers that dominated offensively. Sam Ludwig led the backs and the whole team with a total of 13 tries. Kenné Poles with her speed would come close to Ludwig with 11 tries. For the forwards, Brittney Ferguson scored 7 tries, and Becky Burns with her famous stiff arm would come in with 6 tries. Victoria Mellon, the kicker for Neumann, scored 3 tries and would have a total of 12 conversion kicks, scoring 39 points for her team.