Photo courtesy of Lindenwood Women’s Rugby •
Lindenwood played its first collegiate competition of the fall, taking two sides to Norman, Okla., for a pair of matches last weekend. The DI Elite program faced Oklahoma and New Mexico, and outscored the pair 153-0.
“There were some moments on the pitch where the chemistry just clicked – great downfield support and unselfish play led to some stellar phase play,” Lindenwood coach Billy Nicholas reflected on the weekend. “And if that’s an indicator of the year ahead, then I’m very excited to continue to see their growth.”
On Friday, the developmental side bested Oklahoma 42-0, but the first half was very well contested. Freshman Hayley Thull of Minnesota’s Armstrong accounted for all 10 first-half points on a try, conversion and penalty. In the second 40, Amanda Lenau, Jennese Bacon, Sarah Swinbanks, Maddie Deaton and Tui Roberts added tries.
The following day, the first side took on fellow DI Elite team New Mexico. Certain players saw time in both games.
“The early-season matches are a great way for us to use various personnel in different spots,” Nicholas explained. “We want players to get time at a primary position in which they could play for an age grade team. It is important for us to think bigger picture for players as well.”
Lindenwood ran out a 46-0 halftime lead before tallying a 110-0 victory. Senior fullback Hannah Gauthreaux led all try-scorers with three and saw fellow backs McKenzie Hawkins (2), Davon Thomas (2), Olympian Richelle Stephens, Dana Olsen, Bacon, and freshmen Caring De Freitas and Renee Gonzalez also score. Forward tries came from Anne Reed, Lia Fetineiai-Ili, Tiffany Person and freshman Nika Paogofie-Buyten. Stephens, Hawkins and Morgan Courtney handled the kicking duties.
Lindenwood heads to Cottage Grove, Wisc., to take on DI women’s club Wisconsin on Oct. 1, before returning to St. Charles, Mo., for a two-game home stand against Stars and Life University. The Lions will also play Penn State, Stanford and UC Davis before the end of the year.