Quinnipiac University
Brigham Young
No. 5 Women's Rugby Falls at No. 3 BYU, 36-19
10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rugby
PROVO, Utah - The Quinnipiac University women's rugby team was defeated by the Brigham Young University Cougars on Saturady afternoon, 36-19. In a tough match up between two nationally ranked top five teams, the Bobcats could not stop the Cougar attack in the second half despite tries from Natalie Kosko (Sebastian, Fla.), Christie Albers (Castle Rock, Co.), and Elisa Cuellar (Palm Bay, Fla.).
The contest between the Bobcats and Cougars marked the first time in women's collegiate rugby history that a top 10 team from the east coast matched up against a top 10 west coast team outside the national tournament or playoffs. Quinnipiac (2-2) came to Utah with a No. 5 national ranking against a BYU team (2-0) ranked 3rd in the country.
Play began with little ball movement and excellent defense by both sides' back lines. After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Cougars were first to put points on the board, but were unable to convert on the kick. The half continued to be a defensive stalemate after the first try and Quinnipiac entered the break facing a 5-0 deficit.
The second half was a much different story as both offenses began to adjust and increase the pace of play. Once again BYU was first to score, driving the ball in after a line out at the five. Quickly down 10-0 in the first half, senior Elena Orlando (Winters, Calif.) found two-time All-American Natalie Kosko for the first Bobcat points and her team leading ninth try of the year. Orlando recorded her seventh assist, with Kosko at the scoring end for each one.
After a huge hit from sophomore Hailey Wyatt (Breckenridge, Co.) and a penalty scrum to QU, the Cougars marched down the field to bring the score to 17-5. BYU again added another score and conversion from the outside. Quinnipiac quickly responded as Albers cleaned up a dropped BYU ball for a 70 yard run and her second try of the season. Aine McKeever was able to convert on the kick and cut the deficit to 12.
BYU put two more tries on the board, but not before Cuellar found a hole for a long 60 yard run and the final Bobcat try. Orlando added her second assist of the game and McKeever converted the kick.
The Bobcats lost their second straight game after falling to Norwich, the ACRA Division I National Tournament 15s Champions, last weekend at home. Up next, Quinnipiac will take a week off before hosting Eastern Illinois University at the QU Rugby Field. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 18th at 11 AM.
