Wheeling W. Va- Penn State walked into Bishop-Schmitt field, determined to hand the Wheeling Cardinals (4-0) their first loss of the season. Despite the close scoring in the first half, the Cardinals held strong. They recorded the following 24 unanswered points within the last 20 minutes of play to extend their winning streak to four.
From the start of the match, it was easily identifiable that this contest would take a lot of work for the Cardinals. Both sides cunningly willing their style of play onto the other. If Wheeling forced a turnover, Penn State found a way to get it back shortly after. The Cardinals realized quickly that this Happy Valley team was ready to match their energy at every turn.
Each side worked their hardest to march down the field, but the defenses stood firm. Then, Wheeling's Tamzin Boyce broke through the blue-and-white stripes in the 28th minute for her first of two tries in the match. Bella Gullatta stuck the conversion kick to draw first blood. However, the Nittany Lions didn't stay down long. Just six minutes later, Jaida Rudkin plowed into the Cardinals' try zone. After a conversion kick from Darby Miller, things were back even at seven a piece. Right before the half ended, Penn State took a penalty, which resulted in a successful kick from Gullatta. The Cards took a 10-7 lead at the half.
Wheeling wasted no time trekking their way down the field for another try. Only one minute passed, and Boyce was seen crossing the try line for the second time. The following kick was no good, so the score stood at 15-7. The two teams were countering the other so well. With every stop, more and more time ran off the clock. The Nittany Lion's defense made several impressive stops to prevent the Cardinals from scoring. This effort was rewarded when, in the 61st minute, Callie Rautenbach shook off Cardinal defenders with a few nifty moves to put up a timely try for Penn State. The kick from Miller was good, and it was just a one-point game, sitting at 15-14.
Five minutes after the Nittany Lions' try, Penn State was found guilty of another penalty, so Gullatta was called upon again for the kick. Her boot came through to add another three points. Another five minutes passed, and Gullatta proved she could do more than just kick the ball; she could score in other ways, too. Her try and the successful kick after added some extra cushion to Wheeling's lead to make it 25-14.
The Nittany Lions did the best they could to contain the Cardinal offense over the next 11 minutes, but Alli Davis would not be denied the try zone in the 80thminute. The Cardinals then delivered the final blow after Dakota Burgess touched down in the zone to end the game in the 85th minute.
The 39-14 victory was not given but earned by the Cardinals. Boyce was the only Wheeling player to score multiple tires, with two. Gullatta had a busy night once again, this time nailing six of seven conversion kicks, went two for two on penalty kicks, and added a try.
The Wheeling Cardinals Women's Rugby team is scheduled next to take on the Ohio University Bobcats at 10 AM on Sunday, September 29th.
