What's Happening?
Mount St. Mary’s University women’s rugby team experienced a narrow 29-28 defeat against LIU in their 15s season opener on September 5 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The team entered the 15s season with an 0-1 record after LIU managed to hold off a late surge
and prevent a try in the final three minutes of the match. LIU established an early lead, scoring two tries and one conversion within the first 30 minutes. Mount St. Mary’s responded with a try from Sydney Sibilia and a conversion by Shaniah Mayers, bringing the halftime score to 12-7. In the second half, LIU extended their lead to 29-7 with three tries and one conversion in the first 10 minutes. Mount St. Mary’s mounted a comeback with tries from Brie Kindig and Neely Denlinger, both converted by Mayers. The team held LIU scoreless for the remainder of the game, with Rachel Camiglio contributing 10 of the team's 69 tackles.
Why It's Important?
This close 29-28 loss in the season opener is significant for Mount St. Mary's women's rugby as it highlights both their competitive spirit and areas for improvement. Despite falling behind by a substantial margin, the team's ability to mount a strong comeback and hold LIU scoreless in the latter part of the game demonstrates their resilience and defensive capabilities. For a collegiate rugby program, early season matches are crucial for team cohesion and identifying key players. The performance, particularly the late push, can serve as a valuable learning experience, showing the team's potential to compete at a high level even against strong opponents. The narrow margin of defeat suggests that with minor adjustments, future outcomes could be different.
What's Next?
Mount St. Mary’s women’s rugby team is scheduled to host La Salle on Saturday, September 19, on their home turf, with kickoff set for noon. This upcoming home match provides an immediate opportunity for the team to rebound from their season-opening loss and secure their first victory in the 15s season. The team will likely focus on maintaining their defensive intensity from the latter part of the LIU game while also working on starting stronger to avoid early deficits. The home advantage could also play a role in boosting team morale and performance. The match against La Salle will be an important test of their ability to apply lessons learned from their first game.
Beyond the Headlines
Collegiate women's rugby, as exemplified by Mount St. Mary's program, plays a vital role in expanding opportunities for female athletes in sports. Rugby, a sport known for its physicality and teamwork, fosters unique skills and camaraderie among its participants. The dedication required to compete in such a demanding sport, balancing athletic commitments with academic pursuits, speaks to the character of these student-athletes. The growth of women's rugby programs across universities contributes to the broader movement of promoting diversity and inclusion in sports, offering alternative athletic pathways for women. The competitive spirit and resilience shown in a close match, even in defeat, are valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the rugby pitch.
