Mission Complete: QU Women's Rugby Captures National Championship Over Army, 24-19

Sunday, November 22

Providence, R.I. / Marvel Field

1:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

Army West Point

Mission Complete: QU Women's Rugby Captures National Championship Over Army, 24-19

11/22/2015 4:21:00 PM | Women's Rugby

Mason Johnson Named MVP

By: QU Sports Information

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – The Quinnipiac women's rugby team capped off an historic season on Sunday afternoon, defeating Army West Point, 24-19 to clinch the inaugural varsity national championship. After a late Bobcat try, Quinnipiac came up with a huge defensive stand deep in Army's territory to seal the victory. Sophomore Mason Johnson (Olympia, Washington) was named Most Valuable Player after outstanding play in both games over the weekend including two assists in the championship.

Freshman Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, California) led the squad with two tries while sophomore Karee Helgerson (Portland, Oregon) and senior Raechel Stimson (Cameron Park, California) each added a score of their own.

With tough muddy conditions on the playing field, the Bobcats took an early 5-0 lead just four minutes into the game. Out of the scrum, Quinnipiac swung the ball all the way across the field to find Roskopf in space for the wide open score. Sophomore Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vermont) was credited with the assist on the play.

Three minutes later, the Black Knights captured their first score, punching the ball through the middle to tie the game. Army added a successful conversion to take a 7-5 lead. After two scores in the opening seven minutes, neither side was able to get much offense going until the Black Knights extended their lead with about 17 minutes to go in the first frame.

The Bobcat defense held strong on multiple Army attempts to score, but the Black Knights finally snuck through a hole in the back line to take a 14-5 advantage after another kick sailed through the uprights.

With ten minutes left in the opening frame, Quinnipiac scored their second try to cut the lead to 14-12 heading into the break. Off an Army penalty, Johnson found Helgerson in the middle of the field who took the ball and two defenders with her in for the score from just a couple yards out.

The Bobcats opened the second half in identical fashion to the first. Just four minutes in, sophomore Flora Poole (Christchurch, New Zealand) was stopped one yard short of the try. Johnson scooped up the ball and pitched to Stimson who fought her way in for the score as she was being brought down. A successful conversion by Madison Gegeckas (Dowington, Pennsylvania) brought the score to 19-14 in favor of the Bobcats.

With 10 minutes left in regulation, the Black Knights tied the game after a long possession of working the ball up field. Army missed the kick to take a two point lead.

Quinnipiac answered just four minutes later to take the lead for good. Roskopf scored the championship clinching try with six minutes left in the game. The Bobcats stole the Army scrum and Maher found the freshman with her second assist of the day.

The Black Knights threatened to tie the game and possibly take the lead as time was winding down. With under a minute to play, Quinnipiac came up with multiple stops and eventually took over possession and the title.

With the win, the Bobcats completed their mission on a six-game win streak to end the season and secure the championship. Quinnipiac finished the year 11-2 overall and 6-1 in NCVWRA action.