OT Drama Caps NIRA Opening Weekend
OT Drama Caps NIRA Opening Weekend
Brown University, NIRA Tier II runners-up in 2019, made the move to DI this season and almost beat 2019 Tier I runners-up West Point.
Kate Molloy's try and Macy McKenzie's conversion brought Brown back from a 19-12 deficit to lock the game at 19-19 with 15 minutes to go. Neither team was able to score after that, and they went to overtime.
And while West Point won the game, Codi Butt powering over and Kaitlyn Schwartig converting in overtime, the result was also an indication that Brown is a team to be reckoned with in the women's NCAA varsity college rugby league.
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Brown got on the board first with Zyana Thomas going over for a 5-0 lead. Army replied with Hope Moseley scoring to tie the game at 5-5. West Point then took the lead with a try from Sydney Schaaf and Bu8tt converted for a 12-5 lead. Butt then scored a try of her own and converted, giving Army a 19-5 lead with only 27 minutes gone.
The Brown Bears then controlled much of the game after that. Mahdia Parker's try inched her team closer and Olivia Duba's conversion helped too. Then it was time for Moloy and Butt each to do their stuff. Butt ended the game with 14 points.
"They never gave up, and outlasted a very tough Brown team," said Army Head Coach Bill LecLerc. "We had some sloppy play which is expected for the first outing. We fought to be tied at the end of regulation, and had play extra sudden death but that really brought the best out of them. We have lots to work on as to be expected, but I am happy to come away with a hard fought victory."
NIRA DI | W | L | T | PF | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
Darmouth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 5 | 87 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Harvard | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 5 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Quinnipiac | 1 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 24 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Army | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Brown | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Sacred Heart | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 48 | -24 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Long Island | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 92 | -87 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mount St. Mary's | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 53 | -48 | 0 | 0 | 0 |