Saturday, September 7
Hamden, Conn.
3:00 PM
Quinnipiac University
23
vs
22
Penn State
Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com
Lemal-Brown, Ceolin Lift Rugby Over Penn State
9/7/2019 5:59:00 PM | Women's Rugby
Two second half tries by Clara Lemal-Brown erase nine-point deficit
HAMDEN, Conn. – Two second half tries by sophomore Clara Lemal-Brown (Wooster, Ohio) erased an eight-point deficit and gave the Quinnipiac rugby team a 23-22 victory over Penn State on Saturday.
Freshman Bianca Ceolin kicked three successful penalty kicks in the first half and added a conversion in the 63rd minute that proved to be the difference in the game.
SCORE
Quinnipiac 23, Penn State 22
LOCATION
Quinnipiac Rugby Field | Hamden, Conn.
RECORDS
Quinnipiac (1-1, 0-1 NIRA) | Penn State (0-1)
After Ayla Bleznak opened the scoring for Penn State with a 13th minute try, the Bobcats locked down defensively and did not allow a point for the next 32 minutes of play.
During that span, Ceolin kicked three penalty kicks (including the first points of her collegiate career) to give the home team a 9-5 lead late in the first half.
The Nittany Lions broke through seven minutes later as they bookended the halftime break with a pair of tries and a conversion. Bleznak's second try of the game, following by a try and conversion by Sophie Pyrz put Penn State ahead 17-9.
Lemal-Brown started the comeback for Quinnipiac in the 55th minute as she broke free down the left sideline and entered the try zone. Penn State was whistled for a yellow card on the play, giving the Bobcats the penalty try and the full seven points to narrow the deficit to one.
Pyrz responded with a try less than five minutes later for the visitors, but a missed conversion by Claudia Norton left the window open for the Bobcats and Lemal-Brown. Less than two minutes later, the Ohio native caught an errant kick near the midfield line and flew past all 15 Penn State defenders for a thrilling try that brought the lead back down to one.
Lemal-Brown had the wherewithal to finish in the center of the try zone, giving Ceolin a straight-on look for the conversion attempt. The freshman calmly stepped up and knocked the ball through the uprights to but the Bobcats ahead for good.
SCORING SUMMARY
The Bobcats hit the road for four consecutive NIRA games beginning with a trip to Army West Point next Saturday, Sept. 14. Kickoff at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y. is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For all updates, news, and behind-the-scenes content from Quinnipiac Rugby, follow us on Twitter (@QU_Rugby) and Instagram (@QURugby).
Freshman Bianca Ceolin kicked three successful penalty kicks in the first half and added a conversion in the 63rd minute that proved to be the difference in the game.
SCORE
Quinnipiac 23, Penn State 22
LOCATION
Quinnipiac Rugby Field | Hamden, Conn.
RECORDS
Quinnipiac (1-1, 0-1 NIRA) | Penn State (0-1)
After Ayla Bleznak opened the scoring for Penn State with a 13th minute try, the Bobcats locked down defensively and did not allow a point for the next 32 minutes of play.
During that span, Ceolin kicked three penalty kicks (including the first points of her collegiate career) to give the home team a 9-5 lead late in the first half.
The Nittany Lions broke through seven minutes later as they bookended the halftime break with a pair of tries and a conversion. Bleznak's second try of the game, following by a try and conversion by Sophie Pyrz put Penn State ahead 17-9.
Lemal-Brown started the comeback for Quinnipiac in the 55th minute as she broke free down the left sideline and entered the try zone. Penn State was whistled for a yellow card on the play, giving the Bobcats the penalty try and the full seven points to narrow the deficit to one.
Pyrz responded with a try less than five minutes later for the visitors, but a missed conversion by Claudia Norton left the window open for the Bobcats and Lemal-Brown. Less than two minutes later, the Ohio native caught an errant kick near the midfield line and flew past all 15 Penn State defenders for a thrilling try that brought the lead back down to one.
Lemal-Brown had the wherewithal to finish in the center of the try zone, giving Ceolin a straight-on look for the conversion attempt. The freshman calmly stepped up and knocked the ball through the uprights to but the Bobcats ahead for good.
SCORING SUMMARY
- 13' – (Penn State 5, Quinnipiac 0)
- Ayla Bleznak (1) – Conversion missed by Sophie Pyrz (1)
- 19' – (Penn State 5, Quinnipiac 3)
- Penalty Kick – Bianca Ceolin (1)
- 29' – (Quinnipiac 6, Penn State 5)
- Penalty Kick – Bianca Ceolin (2)
- 38' – (Quinnipiac 9, Penn State 5)
- Penalty Kick – Bianca Ceolin (3)
- 45' – (Penn State 12, Quinnipiac 9)
- Ayla Bleznak (2) – Conversion by Sophie Pyrz (1)
- 47' – (Penn State 17, Quinnipiac 9)
- Sophie Pyrz (1) – Conversion missed by Claudia Norton (1)
- 55' – (Penn State 17, Quinnipiac 16)
- Penalty Try by Clara Lemal-Brown
- 60' – (Penn State 22, Quinnipiac 16)
- Sophie Pyrz (2) – Conversion missed by Claudia Norton (2)
- 62' – (Penn State 22, Quinnipiac 21)
- Clara Lemal-Brown (2) – Conversion by Bianca Ceolin (1)
The Bobcats hit the road for four consecutive NIRA games beginning with a trip to Army West Point next Saturday, Sept. 14. Kickoff at the Anderson Rugby Complex in West Point, N.Y. is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For all updates, news, and behind-the-scenes content from Quinnipiac Rugby, follow us on Twitter (@QU_Rugby) and Instagram (@QURugby).
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