Another gruesome civil war commenced last Saturday, resulting in a 25-24 Oregon State University win over the University of Oregon after a game-winning kick through the uprights hooked just outside the posts.

“It was kind of funny actually,” UO Head Coach Greg Farrell said. “With how the gals reacted, you would have thought we’d won. I wanted them to leave everything on the field and have fun. And, that’s what they did.”

For Farrell and his team, this year will be a rebuilding one with only seven returning players. Along with that, the Ducks also lack size this season which lead to OSU easily dominating scrums. OSU head coach Dave Dickson had prepared the Beavers for OU’s straight up, front-foot rugby. Because of this, the Beavers worked on attacking small gaps in the defensive line with timed support.

The Ducks noticed the improvement in OSU’s ball movement as OSU offloaded to perfectly timed support after committing the defender. Playing with such aggression and pace made OSU difficult to defend.

OSU outside center Lauren Sluss, flanker Alex Fautanu, and flanker Patricia Johnson were each able to exploit the defense to score. Fullback Zoe Steine-Hanson and scrumhalf Maddison Mitchell used their speed to each rocket in a try. Flylhalf Mel Bristow seemed to have an off day as her conversions didn’t meet their mark.

“I think we controlled the game better than the scoreline indicates, yet we continually had mental lapses and mistakes that the Ducks capitalized upon,” Dickson said.

UO relied on quick ball movements from rucks in order to gain extra yardage. The Ducks rarely contested ball defensively due to the size difference between players.

However, by going to ground with their support able to quickly solidify the rucks, UO kept possession long enough for lock Logan Byam-Taylor to slam in two tries with outside center Madison Hicks and insider center Elizabeth Widder adding 10 more points. Emma Richie made two successful conversions. Yet, when UO’s last try was scored, Richie’s kick went wide, crowning OSU the victor.

“Both teams played 80 minutes the entire way,” Farrell said.

UO now looks toward the University of Washington this Saturday while OSU plays two friendlies against Western Washington University and Southern Oregon University. The Beavers’ last league game will be a bout with Washington State University.