In one of the tensest collegiate finals in recent memory, Penn State won its sixth-straight (12th overall) national championship in Marietta, Ga., on Saturday. The Nittany Lions overcame BYU 40-7 in the semifinals and then outlasted a surging Lindenwood 28-25 for the DI Elite title. [Photos: KJ Feury]
“This weekend was unlike any other playoff weekend I have experienced with Penn State Rugby,” captain Fran Schaeffer confessed. “These were by far the hardest playoff games we have had to play. BYU, Life and Lindenwood are all fantastic teams that play with a great level of physicality and experience. Playing tough matches against both BYU and Lindenwood made the wins even more rewarding. I am extremely proud of how hard all of my teammates worked this weekend.”
The semifinal was brutal. The slippery conditions saw both teams struggle with consistency in the first half, but that didn’t affect the aggression quotient. Penn State led 15-7 at the half, and then steadily added penalty kicks and tries to keep the point differential growing.
The same pack that faced BYU took the pitch against Lindenwood in the final. The back line kept much of the same personnel, swapping one wing, but placed players in different positions for a different look. Through 55 minutes, Penn State was able to limit Lindenwood to two McKenzie Hawkins penalties, and countered with tries from Tess Feury, Kyla Chipman and Maggie Carly. Two penalties and two conversions from championship MVP Gabby Cantorna gave Penn State a 25-6 lead.
“We were able to play with great pressure on both attack and defense in the first 40 minutes, allowing us to play in their half. We played very well as a team on both attack and defense,” Schaeffer explained the lead. “Tess [Feury] remained a great defensive threat in the second half, however, Lindenwood was able to break the outside of our wall with great team support, leading to their tries.”
The Missouri Lions started chipping away at the deficit, getting good go-forward through a good offload game and having solid team speed to take advantage of openings. By minute 70, replacement lock Mireille Codjia, replacement flanker Jennese Bacon and fullback Hannah Gauthreaux scored tries, and Hawkins added two conversions for the 25-25 tie.
“It was important to make sure we [still] played as a team and show composure even when the point differential began to close,” Schaeffer recalled the mounting pressure. “Once they tied up the game, we all took a minute to bind up and decided we would finish the game as a team and not as individuals. In those final minutes I never doubted the heart of our team.”
Penn State No. 8 Kyla Chipman looking to move the ball /// Photo: KJ Feury
Schaeffer credited impact subs Sophie Pyrz, Meg Lowe and Kate Payson for keeping the pace of play high and reinforcing the team’s defensive pressure. The senior, who has one more spring with Penn State, also acknowledged the always boisterous support of teammates and fans in the stands.
“This National Championship was especially different because we were able to travel with our whole team, rostered and non-rostered,” Schaeffer explained. “Having all my teammates with me on and off the field made these games very special. There is no better source of motivation than hearing and seeing half of your team cheering their hearts out for you in the stands.”
Penn State took advantage of two Lindenwood errors – a knock-on shortly after the restart and a penalty during the subsequent scrum, which was right in front of the posts. Cantorna lined up the shot for three points and the 28-25 lead.
“Obviously, Gabby’s place kicking against Lindenwood changed the game,” Schaeffer commended the championship MVP. “Gabby is a very strong leader on this team and [held a] key role in our success this weekend. Not only is she a great player but also a leading voice. Gabby greatly influences our level of play on attack and defense with both her skills and knowledge of the game. I have the utmost confidence and trust in Gabby on the field.”
There were still five minutes to play, and Lindenwood closed out the game with a one-player advantage due to a yellow card. But the scoreline held.
“I am very proud of how hard my teammates fought for the entire 80 minutes,” the captain concluded. “Even when the score became close we continued to play for each other allowing us to remain strong and come out on top. … [Lindenwood] was an extremely strong, hard fought competitor that showed great depth throughout the entire game.”
Penn State, Lindenwood and fellow DI Elite semifinalist Life are just starting their championship seasons. All three are heading to the USA Rugby Women’s 7s Championship (May 19-21, Glendale, Colo.) followed by the CRC 7s (June 3-4, Chester, Pa.).