Paced by a pretty nifty backline and four tries from outside center Shaianne McGruder, Indiana defeated the University of Virginia 31-15 in the NCR Women’s D1 quarterfinals in Elkhart, Ind.
In a game that was most certainly back-and-forth, McGruder’s pace, and the timing of her tries were the difference.
The game began with Indiana kicking off and chasing nicely to keep the ball in UVA’s half. Once IU got the ball back, McGruder took off and went wide to score in the opening moments. Indiana looked to build on that lead with a penalty goal, but missed. And in fact, UVA used that to get out of trouble, working their way to midfield and when Indiana was penalized, scrumhalf Clare Turney tapped and almost made it to the tryline. IU’s cover defense was there but the Cavs swarmed in and sent the ball wide. Eventually center Carrie Morrison galloped through several defenders to go over in the corner to tie it 5-5.
Quickly Indiana answered. Off a scrum they ran a planned play that put McGruder through the middle. She then offloaded nicely (see main photo above) to flyhalf Deisdy Rodriguez to go in under the posts. Conversion good and it was 12-5.
Once again Virginia responded, once again helped along by penalties. The forwards worked it close to the line and tighthead prop Taylor Wreath crashed over.
Both teams had chances to score in the remainder of the first half. Virginia No. 8, Carson Crenshaw and Indiana lock Mary Akers both put in a lot of work and made some key tackles. But the scoring chances didn’t yield points because of stern defense and some execution breakdowns at key moments.
