by: Kim Kasnic

The Neumann University Women's Rugby Club opened the season versus Ursinus College on a warm and sunny Saturday (9/12) afternoon.  The contest would be the first full 80-minute match since their opening season game last fall. Ursinus kicked off to Neumann and the game began! The Knights would immediately punch in their first try of the game, and then two more before Ursinus would start to fight back. Ursinus had no chance against Neumann's superior rucking and tackling, the forwards dominating the game. By the end of the first half, the Knights would be more than 20 points ahead of Ursinus, with Ursinus only scoring one try.

Into the second half and Ursinus would receive the ball. Neumann's defense controlled the field and barley let Ursinus move at all. Possession of the ball was constantly changing, with Neumann able to push through the rucks and win them, regaining possession of the ball. The backs were able to transfer the ball with ease between one another, allowing the team to control the field and move up it. By this point, both teams were exhausted, but the Knights would stick with Ursinus until the very bitter end. By the end of the match, the final score was 49-12, the Neumann Women's Rugby team coming away with a win for their first match of the season!

In total, there were nine tries with two successful conversion kicks by Madison Beck to help push Neumann to victory. Sam Ludwig would score 2 tries, Brittney Ferguson with another 2, Alisha Wolf would score 1 try, Becky Burns punching in one of the first tries of the game for Neumann, Natalya Receuver, a first time rugby player, would score her first try ever, Olivia Jevnick, whom returned for the fall season, would come back with a try, and finally, Kenne Poles would score her first try of the season.