Friday, November 18
West Point, N.Y. / Anderson Rugby Complex
5:00 PM
Quinnipiac University
at
Army West Point
QU Women's Rugby Heads To NIRA Final Four At Army West Point
11/18/2016 10:38:00 AM | Women's Rugby
QUINNIPIAC BOBCATS (9-1) at ARMY WEST POINT (5-4)
NIRA SEMIFINALS
Date: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Time: 5:00 PM EST
Location: Anderson Rugby Complex | West Point, N.Y.
NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
The Bobcats will try to defend their national championship at Army West Point this weekend. A year ago, Quinnipiac defeated Army 24-19 in the national championship match, which was held at Brown. The semifinal round this year features second-seeded Quinnipiac against third-seeded and host Army at 5 p.m., while top-seeded Central Washington faces fourth-seeded AIC at 3 p.m. The two winners will face off on Sunday at 2 p.m. for the national title.
BOBCATS REGULAR SEASON SUCCESS
Quinnipiac is currently 9-1 as it heads into the NIRA national semifinal round. The Bobcats opened the season with a 32-19 win against Army West Point before rattling off victories against American International (44-0), Norwich (64-3), Notre Dame College (30-5) and Brown (77-7). The final weekend of the regular season saw a historic 41-22 win over Penn State University, giving the Bobcats an 8-1 record heading into the postseason (7-1 against NIRA teams).
QUARTERFINAL RECAP
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, as the Bobcats (9-1) rolled past West Chester on Saturday in the NIRA Quarterfinals 94-15. 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, and they were able to cruise from there.
LAST YEAR'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (QUINNIPIAC 24, ARMY 19)
Quinnipiac capped off an historic season, defeating Army West Point, 24-19 to clinch the inaugural varsity national championship at Brown University. After a late Bobcat try, Quinnipiac came up with a huge defensive stand deep in Army's territory to seal the victory. Mason Johnson (Olympia, Washington) was named Most Valuable Player after outstanding play in both games over the weekend including two assists in the championship. Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, California) led the squad with two tries while Karee Helgerson (Portland, Oregon) and 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, 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.
ALL-TIME AGAINST ARMY
Quinnipiac Bobcat's enters the quarterfinals 5-2 all-time against the Army West Point Black Knights, including a 32-19 win earlier this season. During the 2013 season, Army West Point defeated Quinnipiac, 39-27, in their first all-time matchup. Jumping ahead to 2015, the Black Knights bested the Bobcats, 29-24 in Quinnipiac's second game of the season. Quinnipiac avenged the loss against Army West Point when they defeated the Black Knights two more times last year including a 24-12 home-field victory on the Bobcat's Senior Day and a 24-19 win at the inaugural NIRA National Championship game.
EARLIER MEETING WITH ARMY
The defending national champion Quinnipiac women's rugby team opened the 2016 season with a 32-19 road win over Army West Point on Thursday evening in a rematch of the 2015 national title game. The first half saw the teams trade scores, as Ilona Maher had the first two tries of the season for the Bobcats, giving the team 6-0 and 10-5 leads (the first off an assist from Caitria Sands). After Army went ahead 12-10, Maher scored again off a pass from Maggie Myles to give Quinnipiac the lead back at 17-12 with 6:16 left in the half. The Black Knights answered, though, scoring on a long run up the right sideline to take the 19-17 lead into halftime. Maher then helped Quinnipiac take the lead for good when she shuffled a pass to Emily Roskopf, who charged up the left sideline and into the try zone to put the Bobcats ahead 22-19 just 1:55 into the second half. Quinnipiac extended its lead later in the second half off an inbounds play, when Flora Poole caught a pass from Tayler Schussler and barreled through four defenders on her way in to give the Bobcats a two-possession lead at 27-19 with 25:50 to play. Rebecca Haight capped off the scoring with 7:42 left when she took a lateral pass from Mason Johnson and broke in to the left side of the end zone for her first try of the year, making the score 32-19.
REGULAR SEASON FINALE
Last weekend hosted a victorious feat for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Bobcats trumped Penn State 41-22. Penn State struck first and the teams alternated tries through most of the first half, before the Bobcats seized momentum just before the break. Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, Calif.) earned her second try, with just under 10 minutes left in the half, giving Quinnipiac its first lead at 19-17. Senior flank Tayler Schussler (Westminster, Md.) then closed out the first half with a try just before the break off a pass from junior scrum half Mason Johnson (Olympia, Wash.), making the score 26-17 at the break after senior Madison Gegeckas (Downington, Pa.) had a successful conversion. The momentum carried over into the second half, as Roskopf converted her third try, all of which were assisted by junior center Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vt.), extending the Bobcat lead to 31-17. Maggie Myles scored her homecoming try when she took an offload pass from Flora Poole just over midfield and scampered in to give the Bobcats a commanding 36-17 lead. Roskopf then found space up the sideline and assisted on a try from sophomore wing Caitria Sands (Essex, Vt.) to extend Quinnipiac's run to 29 straight points, making the score 41-17. Penn State added a harmless try late to make the final score 41-22
WHAT CAN HAPPEN NEXT?
A Bobcats win would move them on the national championship game for the second straight year, which will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the winner of the Central Washington-AIC contest. Central Washington handed Quinnipiac its only loss of this season (19-12), and is 3-0 all-time in the series with Quinnipiac, while the Bobcats swept AIC 44-0 and 38-34.
NIRA SEMIFINALS
Date: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Time: 5:00 PM EST
Location: Anderson Rugby Complex | West Point, N.Y.
- Live Video
- Follow on Twitter: @QURugby
NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
The Bobcats will try to defend their national championship at Army West Point this weekend. A year ago, Quinnipiac defeated Army 24-19 in the national championship match, which was held at Brown. The semifinal round this year features second-seeded Quinnipiac against third-seeded and host Army at 5 p.m., while top-seeded Central Washington faces fourth-seeded AIC at 3 p.m. The two winners will face off on Sunday at 2 p.m. for the national title.
BOBCATS REGULAR SEASON SUCCESS
Quinnipiac is currently 9-1 as it heads into the NIRA national semifinal round. The Bobcats opened the season with a 32-19 win against Army West Point before rattling off victories against American International (44-0), Norwich (64-3), Notre Dame College (30-5) and Brown (77-7). The final weekend of the regular season saw a historic 41-22 win over Penn State University, giving the Bobcats an 8-1 record heading into the postseason (7-1 against NIRA teams).
QUARTERFINAL RECAP
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, as the Bobcats (9-1) rolled past West Chester on Saturday in the NIRA Quarterfinals 94-15. 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, and they were able to cruise from there.
LAST YEAR'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (QUINNIPIAC 24, ARMY 19)
Quinnipiac capped off an historic season, defeating Army West Point, 24-19 to clinch the inaugural varsity national championship at Brown University. After a late Bobcat try, Quinnipiac came up with a huge defensive stand deep in Army's territory to seal the victory. Mason Johnson (Olympia, Washington) was named Most Valuable Player after outstanding play in both games over the weekend including two assists in the championship. Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, California) led the squad with two tries while Karee Helgerson (Portland, Oregon) and 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, 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.
ALL-TIME AGAINST ARMY
Quinnipiac Bobcat's enters the quarterfinals 5-2 all-time against the Army West Point Black Knights, including a 32-19 win earlier this season. During the 2013 season, Army West Point defeated Quinnipiac, 39-27, in their first all-time matchup. Jumping ahead to 2015, the Black Knights bested the Bobcats, 29-24 in Quinnipiac's second game of the season. Quinnipiac avenged the loss against Army West Point when they defeated the Black Knights two more times last year including a 24-12 home-field victory on the Bobcat's Senior Day and a 24-19 win at the inaugural NIRA National Championship game.
EARLIER MEETING WITH ARMY
The defending national champion Quinnipiac women's rugby team opened the 2016 season with a 32-19 road win over Army West Point on Thursday evening in a rematch of the 2015 national title game. The first half saw the teams trade scores, as Ilona Maher had the first two tries of the season for the Bobcats, giving the team 6-0 and 10-5 leads (the first off an assist from Caitria Sands). After Army went ahead 12-10, Maher scored again off a pass from Maggie Myles to give Quinnipiac the lead back at 17-12 with 6:16 left in the half. The Black Knights answered, though, scoring on a long run up the right sideline to take the 19-17 lead into halftime. Maher then helped Quinnipiac take the lead for good when she shuffled a pass to Emily Roskopf, who charged up the left sideline and into the try zone to put the Bobcats ahead 22-19 just 1:55 into the second half. Quinnipiac extended its lead later in the second half off an inbounds play, when Flora Poole caught a pass from Tayler Schussler and barreled through four defenders on her way in to give the Bobcats a two-possession lead at 27-19 with 25:50 to play. Rebecca Haight capped off the scoring with 7:42 left when she took a lateral pass from Mason Johnson and broke in to the left side of the end zone for her first try of the year, making the score 32-19.
REGULAR SEASON FINALE
Last weekend hosted a victorious feat for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Bobcats trumped Penn State 41-22. Penn State struck first and the teams alternated tries through most of the first half, before the Bobcats seized momentum just before the break. Emily Roskopf (Pleasanton, Calif.) earned her second try, with just under 10 minutes left in the half, giving Quinnipiac its first lead at 19-17. Senior flank Tayler Schussler (Westminster, Md.) then closed out the first half with a try just before the break off a pass from junior scrum half Mason Johnson (Olympia, Wash.), making the score 26-17 at the break after senior Madison Gegeckas (Downington, Pa.) had a successful conversion. The momentum carried over into the second half, as Roskopf converted her third try, all of which were assisted by junior center Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vt.), extending the Bobcat lead to 31-17. Maggie Myles scored her homecoming try when she took an offload pass from Flora Poole just over midfield and scampered in to give the Bobcats a commanding 36-17 lead. Roskopf then found space up the sideline and assisted on a try from sophomore wing Caitria Sands (Essex, Vt.) to extend Quinnipiac's run to 29 straight points, making the score 41-17. Penn State added a harmless try late to make the final score 41-22
WHAT CAN HAPPEN NEXT?
A Bobcats win would move them on the national championship game for the second straight year, which will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the winner of the Central Washington-AIC contest. Central Washington handed Quinnipiac its only loss of this season (19-12), and is 3-0 all-time in the series with Quinnipiac, while the Bobcats swept AIC 44-0 and 38-34.
Players Mentioned
Fullback/Fly
/ Women's Rugby
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