When the Quinnipiac Women traveled to Marietta, Ga., for its season-opener against Life University, the 34-19 win proved difficult to interpret. The Running Eagles are newly varsity and the late August match was an early fixture. But the Bobcats’ strength came into focus last Saturday, when it defeated traditional DI power Army 50-17.

The opening 15 minutes were a stalemate, but once that first try crossed, Quinnipiac used the rest of the half to put up 24 points. All American Natalie Kosko put wing Elisa Cuellar into space for the opening try at 17 minutes and later followed with three five-pointers of her own – two in the first half, one in the second half. Kosko’s first try reiterated the center’s penchant for pick-offs, as the hero of the All Americans’ last-minute win against Ontario this summer made Army pay for a soft pass.

Army prevented the first-half shutout when Allison Wilson touched down the Black Knights' first score, which Ari Efaw's converted, 24-7.

But then Quinnipiac went back to work and built a 43-7 lead before Army scored again. The rest of the Bobcat scores came from underclassmen, indicating a new wave of strong up-and-comers. Sophomore try-scorers Madison Gegeckas (Downingtown, Pa.) and Hailey Wyatt (Summit, Colo.) are doing their high school teams’ proud. And Megan Johnson, a freshman out of Olympia, Wash., banked her first try of her collegiate career.

Aine McKeever is also worth noting. Quinnipiac has picked up a fantastic weapon in the Derry City, Ireland, native. Transferring from the Bobcat soccer team after four years, the fifth-year senior lends precision to the team’s kicking game, and slotted five of eight conversions on the day.

Army added two tries in the second half, both from Carissa Penky, but the team that finished second to Norwich in last year's ACRA final has some rebuilding to do.

Quinnipiac will play Dartmouth this Saturday, while Army faces Norwich. Keep in mind that Quinnipiac is competing independently and has built a strong schedule against teams like Norwich, BYU and various varsity teams around the country. The Bobcats will rely on at-large bids to compete in post-season.