No. 1 QU Women's Rugby Coasts to 94-15 win over West Chester behind Emily Roskopf's Six Tries

Saturday, November 12

West Chester, Pa. / John A. Farrell Stadium

12:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

West Chester (Pa.)

No. 1 QU Women's Rugby Coasts to 94-15 win over West Chester behind Emily Roskopf's Six Tries

11/12/2016 4:13:00 PM | Women's Rugby

By: QU Sports Information

WEST CHESTER, PA. – No. 1 Quinnipiac women's rugby began its playoff quest to defend its National Championship in spectacular fashion, defeating the West Chester Golden Rams 94-15 in the quarterfinals of the NIRA playoffs on Saturday afternoon at John A. Farrell Stadium.

Sophomore wing Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, California) recorded six tries on the day, tying junior Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vermont) for second-most tries in in a single-game in program history.

The Golden Rams got on the board first after recording a try then missing the conversion, giving them a 5-0 lead within the first five minutes of the contest. However, this would be the only time West Chester lead at all in the game.

After trailing 5-0, the Bobcats then used a 27-0 run to take command of the contest. Emma Shipton (Littleton, Colorado) put the Bobcats on the board after she picked up the ball from the back of the ruck and trotted in for a try, tying the game at five.

On the ensuing Bobcats possession, Roskopf received a pass from Maher and was able to run in for her first try of the day, giving the Bobcats a 10-5 lead. On the next Bobcats drive, Roskopf streaked 50 yards up the field, before tossing the ball to Maher, who finished the play with a try. Senior Madison Gegeckas then nailed the conversion to give Quinnipiac the 17-5 lead.

After West Chester bobbled the ball on a line out, Mason Johnson (Olympia, Washington) recovered, giving the Bobcats possession. Quinnipiac took advantage of the gifted opportunity, as Flora Poole (Christchurch, New Zealand) ran the ball from the QU 40, all the way to the try zone, putting the Bobcats up 22-5.

Roskopf would connect on one more try before the Golden Rams would score their second try of the game, breaking the Quinnipiac 27-0 run.

However, Quinnipiac would score three straight tries courtesy of Maher, Tayler Schussler (Westminster, Maryland) and Caitria Sands (Essex, Vermont) to take a commanding 44-10 lead into halftime.

The Bobcats carried the momentum into the second half as Roskopf was able to dish to junior Rebecca Haight (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin) for her first try of the afternoon. Gegeckas was able to nail her third conversion of the day, giving the Bobcats the 51-10 lead.

Quinnipiac added to its commanding lead after Poole was able to pass to Maher, who found Roskopf, who was able to power her way to a try, putting the Bobcats up 56-10. Roskopf didn't finish there, as Poole was able to find her on the next Bobcats possession as Roskopf was able to dash for a 40-meter try.

Roskopf did not let up as Maher was able to connect with her for yet another try, increasing the Bobcats lead to 70-10. Maher then got her chance to get into the try zone yet again, after she received the pass from Poole then powered her way for a try, stiff-arming a West Chester player on the way in.

With a little over 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Johnson was able to steal the ball then dish it to Roskopf, who was able to take the ball the length of the field and score on the 90-meter try, the longest play of the day.

Quinnipiac then took an 89-10 lead after Johnson tossed the ball to Schussler, who was able to evade a few defenders then tip-toe up the sideline for her second try of the day.

The Bobcats tacked on one last try late in the second half when Maggie Myles (Emmitsburg, Maryland) found Poole, who then shook a few defenders before streaking 75 meters up the field for a try, giving the Bobcats a 94-10 lead. West Chester was able to score a try in the final minute a play, bringing the final score to 94-15.

With the win, the second-seeded Bobcats will travel to West Point, New York to take on Army West Point who is the third seed in the semifinal of the NIRA playoffs on Friday, Nov. 18. If the Bobcats win, they will play in the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 20.