Women's Rugby continue win streak, defeat Lander 66-6

Ashley Cowdrey leads scoring with 18 points

Written by Nicole Carvalho, Rugby Contributor

GREENWOOD, S.C. - The women's rugby squad went head-to-head with Lander University in a thrilling match this past weekend with the final score against the Bearcats standing at 66-6, marking the third victory of their 15's season and leaving the Panthers with an undefeated record of 3-0. The Bearcats displayed an effective offensive line, but it was not enough to breach the Panthers' defense, resulting in a shutout in terms of try scores.

Despite the score, this match proved to be a demanding challenge for the Panthers. The Bearcats brought an intense and formidable defense, showcasing exceptional skills and strategic prowess. This initially caused some mistakes by DU, especially in the opening ten minutes. However, as the game progressed, they managed to settle in and find their rhythm. At the 14-minute mark, Ashley Cowdrey scored the first try of the game, providing a much-needed boost to the team's confidence. After halftime, the Panthers had 40 minutes to regain their composure and maintain their dominance on the field. The game was physically demanding, with a forward-heavy half that featured numerous scrums and lineouts. This gave the back positions time to make some game adjustments, and really be able to move the ball effectively, despite dealing with a few injuries.

The standout player of the match was none other than the team captain, Aubrey Crist, as her impeccable chemistry with the team created numerous opportunities for both herself and her teammates to gain significant meters on the field. Lionala Mayorga also exhibited great abilities by breaking the defensive line and scoring multiple tries, including through intercepting Lander's passes. In the forwards pack, Kyla Rimpel emerged as a defensive leader on the pitch, executing impressive tackles with great technique and running over Bearcats players to score a try after a maul. One remarkable aspect of this particular match was the Panthers' dedication and resilience. They endured a grueling fourteen-hour journey to face Lander University, yet they took to the field without any major signs of fatigue or complacency due to the long trip. This demonstrated the team's unwavering commitment to putting on a stellar performance and their strong determination to secure a national championship this year.

Scoring Breakdown for Davenport vs Lander University
Ashley Cowdrey - 2 tries and 4 conversions (18 points)
Lionala Mayorga - 3 tries (15 points)
Kara Higgins - 2 try (10 points)
Aubrey Crist – 4 conversions (8 points)
Leilani Lepe – 1 try (5 points)
Rachel Wilkie – 1 try (5 points)
Kyla Rimpel – 1 try (5 points)

The team takes on Lindenwood University on Saturday, September 30th on the DU Turf Field with kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Aubrey Crist: Scrumhalf/Flyhalf; 5' 4"; Sophomore

Nicole Carvalho: Wing; 5' 3"; Freshman

Ashley Cowdrey: Scrumhalf; 5' 6"; Freshman

Kyla Rimpel: Prop/Hooker; 5' 7"; Freshman

Kara Higgins: 5' 7"; Freshman

Leilani Lepe: 5' 3"; Freshman

Rachel Wilkie: Freshman

Lionala Mayorga: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aubrey Crist
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: Scrumhalf/Flyhalf

Nicole Carvalho
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: Wing

Ashley Cowdrey
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Scrumhalf

Kyla Rimpel
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: Prop/Hooker

Kara Higgins
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Leilani Lepe
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Rachel Wilkie
: Freshman

Lionala Mayorga
: 5' 5"; Freshman