August 31, 2016
Army West Point Women’s Rugby Opener Against Quinnipiac: Championship Rematch
Photo: Army West Point Athletics
Doug Coil
The Army West Point Women’s rugby team opens its 2016 season against Quinnipiac on Thursday at the Anderson Rugby Complex at 6 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association Championship game that was won by Quinnipiac 24-19.
This is the second-straight year in which Army will host Quinnipiac for its home opener. Last year, each side won their respective home matches. Army won 29-24 and Quinnipiac won 20-12 while at home. Quinnipiac holds a 4-1 advantage in rugby 15s play since 2014 and is 5-2-1 overall against Army.
Last year Army had a 9-5 record and went 5-2 in National Intercollegiate Rugby Association action, finishing second in the conference. Quinnipiac finished with a record of 11-2 overall and 6-1 in NCWVRA action.
This season the teams play in the newly-named National Intercollegiate Rugby Association, formerly the National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association. The NIRA has 15 NCAA members, all of which play varsity rugby and are committed to the expansion of women’s rugby at the highest level with eventual full sponsorship by the NCAA.
Army Head coach Bill LeClerc begins his fourth season with the women’s rugby program and has a 15-11 rugby 15s record over the past two seasons. Army has 22 of 40 players returning from last season, including seven starters. This includes Zye Crittington, who had six tries last season.
Quinnipiac’s Head Coach Becky Carlson begins her sixth year at the helm and has a 48-15-1 record in her five years. The teams has three captains in Maggie Myles, a Senior and Juniors Mason Johnson and Illona Maher.
Five Freshman are also expected to be key contributors. Carly Plowman is a prop/hooker from Colorado Springs that was an all state selection. Niamh Savage is a back from Plano, Texas that led Plano to a State title. Emma Shipton, a prop from Littleton, Colorado, was part of the Westside Swarm’s two consecutive state championships. Mikah Maples is a crossover track state medalist athlete from Mowequa, Illinois. Meg Rose, a center from Silverthorne, Colorado, was a three time first team all-state player.
Following the Army vs. Quinnipiac match, the Black Knights continue NIRA play on Sept. 9, by hosting Dartmouth from the Anderson Rugby Complex at 6 p.m.
For more information on Army West Point women’s rugby, visit GoArmyWestPoint.com and follow @ArmyWP_WRugby on Twitter.
Quinnipiac follows their match against Army traveling to American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts on Sept. 9.
For more information of Quinnipiac rugby, visit http://quinnipiacbobcats.com and follow @QURugby on Twitter.
For those who want to view the match broadcast, it is available for a fee on Knight Vision.
