Special Program Debut and More from DII and DIII NIRA Games

09.01.2025College Women

lasalle vs msm 2025 jackie finlan the rugby breakdown

Outside of the NIRA DI conference there was still some notable games among NCAA women's colleges.

Most of the action was cross-divisional, and a key one of those was LaSalle vs Mount St. Mary's. While the Mount is pursuing a 7s postseason, they are still playing a strong 15s season, and this time they were the inaugural opponent for LaSalle.

After announcing that it would field a varsity women's team, LaSalle took a year to put it all together. Head Coach Kelsie McDowell recruited almost the entire team, so it's largely a group of freshmen. But McDowell isn't worried about the won-loss record because of that fact; instead she's helping the players adjust to college life.

"So far, they've been handling the stress of college life really well," McDowell said in a preseason interview. "There have definitely been points of struggle with a lot of them, but I think that if there weren't points of struggle, I'd be more concerned than when there are struggles. Me knowing that there are challenges means they're communicating and they're reaching out for help, which I think is really important. They're all learning together. We're new college coaches as well, so we are figuring it out alongside them."

Bri Wertman, Alyssa Post, and Mallory Weronko have emerged as leaders. Wertman, who is a junior, is a more seasoned college student and will serve as captain for the program, while Post and Weronko, experienced and accomplished rugby players out of the Sparta-Rock program, will also serve in captaincy roles.

"The kids we have here bought into the vision," said McDowell. "Our program is about not just creating competent rugby players, but strong, independent women. We have a very strong philosophy of building each other up, not tearing each other down. Our theme for this season is our entire squad is under construction. This year is very much under construction for all aspects of our team, but they know that they're the first ones laying the foundation. I'd say all 22 of the girls are really special to buy into that vision and also have confidence in our coaching staff, La Salle, and themselves."

So Saturday's home and program opener was a big deal and in front of a big crowd the Explorers hosted MSM, with the visitors taking a not unexpected 55-12 win. Maeve Delaney had a big day and scored both of LaSalle's tries, with Taylor Major converting one.

The final 35 minutes or so were better for LaSalle as MSM outscored them 24-12 during that time. It had to take time for the players to understand the pace and power of this level.

For the Mount Olivia Woodward and Caliann Dietz both scored two tries, while Tori Holmes, Lily Myers, Koda Hall, and Josie Schussler also touched down while Shaniah Mayers converted five.

This was a solid showing for Mount, but also served as a nice piece of history for a LaSalle team that will only improve with experience.

As reported in our DI report, Harvard beat AIC in a cross-divisional clash. sent forth five conversions to aid in the scoring. In the second half, Koda Hall and Josie Schussler registered their first career collegiate tries.

In full DII games Davenport beat New Haven in emphatic fashion 78-19. Leilani Lepe scored three tries in the win while lock Rachel Wilkie added two. Six others got over the tryline for the Panthers.

And Frostburg State shut out Emory & Henry 57-0.

Tries from Ellis Lysse, Scout Spadoni, and Natalie Allen staked Frostburg to a 17-0 lead, and Lysse's second, with Allen converting, made it 24-0 at the halftime break.

Frostburg exploded in the opening minutes of the second half with tries from Abby Stapleton and freshman Izzy Sage to lead 36-0. Allen converted one and then converted the next two, one from LJ Jordan and Spadoni's second. A penalty try finished it off.

That was an impressive opening salvo from the Bobcats, with All-NIRA selections Allen and Spadoni picking up where they left off.