Photo courtesy Mike Schurr •
Penn State (1-0) and Notre Dame (2-0) won their respective Big 10 matches last weekend and both posted lopsided shutouts in the wins. Reigning league and DI Elite champion Penn State defeated Michigan (1-1) 128-0, while the Fighting Irish blanked Michigan State (0-2) 66-0.
“I don’t think the scoreline really reflected the game,” Penn State captain Gabby Cantorna reflected on Saturday. “Michigan played a great tactical game and did a good job of putting our back three under pressure. Their flyhalf managed the game well and I was really impressed with a bunch of their players’ individual skill.”
The Nittany Lions welcomed back some injured players in the form of Kyla Chipman and Jessie Purawic, two influential contributors, and blooded some first-years in their first-ever conference match for Penn State.
“Freshman flyhalf Kayla Canett and freshman scrumhalf Ellie Fromstein both stepped up and showed they could manage the game and direct the upperclassman without losing their dynamic play, which was really impressive,” Cantorna praised the Fallbrook, Calif., and Hopkins, Minn., graduates.
Twelve players scored tries for Penn State, with Canett leading with four, Gianna Solomon and Cantorna with three each, Tess Feury with a brace, and Rachel Campbell, Fran Schaeffer, Nikki Klassen, Kate Payson, Corinne Heavner, Chipman, Fromstein and Amanda Berta also dotting down. Five players – Feury (4), Heavner (4), Cantorna (4), Fromstein and Canett – added conversions.
“It was a good start to the season and I’m excited to see where this group will go,” the captain concluded.
Penn State will play conference newcomer Rutgers, previously a DII program, Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Michigan will host Ohio State on Sunday.
In the western pool, Notre Dame got its second win of the league season, having defeated Purdue 63-15 in week one and following with a 66-0 victory over Michigan State. Ten different players contributed to the scoreboard, and Kate Blackman led all point-scorers with 15. Grace McGurn (2), Kaitlyn Ryczek, Grace Kiraly, Scout Muzikowski, Jade Jennings, Fiona Rutagengwa and Rachel Shey added tries, while Abbi Wood (P, C) and Sophie Asah (3C) handled kicking duties.
“We were able to maintain ball well for several phases. Time of possession was what helped get the shutout,” Notre Dame coach Ricardo Ramirez noted.
“Kate Blackman had great day,” the coach pointed to a standout performance. “She got around the field great and here work rate led to three tries.”
For more information on the conference, visit www.Big10Rugby.com.