First it was Army, and now it’s Quinnipiac that has banked its first-ever 15s win against Norwich. The Bobcats traveled to Northfield, Vt., for this all-varsity matchup and returned to Connecticut with a 48-19 victory (read more).

“We have an inexperienced group as a whole,” Norwich backs captain Hannah Bell informed. “Against a well oiled, experienced machine like Quinnipiac, we fought hard and kept it close, and then Ilona [Maher] slipped through our line too many times and they pulled away. We are a powerful team, but we are also building experience. We also really missed [All American] Sheila Decker’s experience in the pack.”

Maher played her freshman year at Norwich, and stood out as an aggressive, mobile prop. When she transferred to Quinnipiac this season, she also moved to the backline, where she and freshman Emily Roskopf have formed a nice center pairing.

“Ilona Maher and I definitely have a unique connection on the field,” Roskopf confirmed. “We are starting to really click with each other in the centers and are starting to get a better sense of each other’s tendencies. We are becoming a powerful, dynamic duo.”

The pair accounted for four of Quinnipiac’s tries on Saturday, and Roskopf dotted down the team’s first two. The All American and junior Olympian has scored in all of the Bobcats’ four games and leads the team with 10 thus far.

“As a freshman, being the leading try-scorer on a college team is unbelievable, but I have to give credit to my teammates for making my job easier,” Roskopf said. “They put in all the hard work to open up holes for me in the defense and set me up for success.”

Roskopf indicated that her All-American background has helped her adjust to the quicker pace of play and physicality found in the DI college game, and she’s leaning on role models like Maggie Myles for continued inspiration.

“She has a lot of heart on the field and definitely leads by example,” Roskopf praised. “She is a player who gives 100% effort no matter what, and I hope that one day I will have the determination and knowledge of the game that she has.”

Roskopf had played beside Myles for the first three games, but the junior moved from flyhalf to scrumhalf for the game against Norwich. Lindey Wise made the jump from front row to #10, and did well to launch Quinnipiac’s backline.

“Norwich was a very skilled team and one of the best backlines that we have faced so far this season,” Roskopf recounted. “They challenged us with their backline plays and cuts back to the inside, both with their backs and forwards. One of the advantages we had was our speed and collective team effort of keeping possession of the ball. This week at practice, we really worked on maintaining possession and being there for our teammates, and it really showed in the game.”

Quinnipiac is now 3-1 in overall play, and will host Life this weekend in Hamden, Conn. It will be the Running Eagles’ first game of a friendly season that includes many varsity opponents.