Ferguson scored seven tries in Florida. /// Photo: Eyal Hakim
Life University didn’t look like a team emerging from the off-season, as it took three big wins in Florida last weekend. The Running Eagles beat DI South Florida and Florida International, and the senior Florida High Performance Selects by a combined 194-12.
“The tour was wonderful,” Life coach Ros Chou enthused. “More than anything it showed that our first-years are fitting into our system and can all contribute. We really want to give each player an opportunity to play and were extremely happy with the results.”
The Florida High Performance side, which included senior club players, provided the toughest competition on Sunday. Flyhalf Zoe Sanchez propelled a fast-paced game, while fullback Lindsey Koren defended valiantly and was dangerous with ball in hand. FIU’s attackers highlighted some areas of improvement in Life’s interior defense, but for the most part, the Running Eagles ran the weekend.
Fifteen different players scored over three matches, and Deshel Ferguson led the team with seven. Cynthia Kelly, Kaitlyn Broughton, Ravyn Santiago, Savannah Austin, Ana Fanning, Grace Martinez and Kim Semiglia had multi-try weekends. Natalie Barrera, Gabi Bergamin, N’Keiah Butler, Sylina Flowers, Darian Lovelace, Megan Rom and Nicole Strasko added one try each. Madison Ohmann led all point-scorers with 38 points off the boot.
“I’m really happy with the back row: Nicole Strasko, Darian Lovelace and Karissa Lacy,” Chou praised. “They are setting the tone with our defensive pressure for the whole team. We are still experimenting with back line combinations, and we have healthy competition and a lot of options at every position in that unit.”
Life returns to the road this weekend, this time taking its game to North Carolina. The Running Eagles will play DI collegiate side UNC Saturday and then follow with the DI senior club Raleigh Sunday. Twenty-seven players will make the trip, as Chou anticipates the need for more depth against these talented teams.