TUCSON, Ariz. – The Panthers moved up a division for the 2019 USA Rugby 7's Nationals, competing in the Women's Elite division against all the top teams in the country. Davenport had a team filled with youth and a few upper classmen; the group fought during every game and ended up in the Bowl Championship game. Davenport went 1-2 in pool play, then won in the Bowl Semifinals and advanced to the Bowl Championship.
 
Pool Play
Davenport was in Pool A and faced Life, Harvard and Central Washington in their three pool play games. The Panthers took on Life University in their opening game of the tournament, DU fell by a score of 31-5 and Megan Bird had the lone try. In game two, Davenport took on Harvard and lost 29-12. In the game, Bird had a pair of tries, while Mariah Pruitt had one conversion. The Panthers won their third pool play game, taking down Central Washington 21-14. The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-0 score six minutes into the contest. Davenport quickly locked up on defense, holding Central Washington scoreless throughout the remainder of the game. In addition, DU scored 21 unanswered points to win the game. Bird got DU on the board first, scoring a try in the seventh minute of play and Olivia Ortiz hit the conversion. Later on Ortiz scored a try of her own and knocked in the conversion to tie the game 14-14. Bird came through with the game-winning try in the 14^th minute, again Ortiz scored the conversion and DU went up 21-14.
 
Tournament Play
In the semifinals of the playoffs, Davenport faced American International and stomped them by a score of 28-0. Lauren Peterson and Ortiz each scored one try, while Bird scored twice. Davenport hit all four conversion attempts, two from Chloe Baumann, and one from Bird and Ortiz. The Panthers advanced to the Bowl Championship game and played Central Washington, who they faced in pool play. Similar to the pool play game against CWU, Davenport fell by a couple scores early. However, the Panthers were not able to make a comeback like last time. The lone score for DU came from a try scored by the team.
 
Coaches Corner
"Going into these nationals, being placed in the elite division, was a great pat on the back for our program and team! Our very young team (only one senior and one junior) matched up with very experienced teams throughout the tournament. Besides the Life game and our final game on Sunday, we stood tall in each match. I am excited to see this team play next year with one more year of experience under their belts. In addition, we have a solid group of recruits coming in next year! I have a great feeling that we will once again be contenders in both 15's and 7's!" – Head Coach Greg Teliczan.
 
Scoring Breakdown
Bird – 7 tries & 1 conversion
Ortiz – 2 tries & 4 conversions
Baumann – 2 conversions
Pruitt – 1 conversion
Peterson – 1 try
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Walter Cronk