Wheeling, W. Va. – In their first season as a varsity program, the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team has experienced a number of firsts. They will add another first to that list on Sunday, when they compete in their first-ever homecoming & family weekend. They will take on Ohio University in their first homecoming match, with kick-off at 10 AM as they look to continue their win streak as they enter their fifth varsity match.
The last time out, the Cardinals were locked in a battle with USA Rugby powerhouse Penn State in the third game of their four-game homestand. It was a battle throughout the night, with neither team getting on the board for the first 28 minutes of play. In total, the teams combined to score 17 first half points, with the Cardinals heading into the break with a 10-7 lead. However, coming out of half, the Cardinal offense found its grove, needing just one minute in the new half to get on the board. They would end up outscoring the Nittany Lions 29-10 during the final 40 minutes of the game, as they walked away with a 39-17 victory. The Cardinals have now scored 30 or more points in every game they have played this season and look to continue using that offense to their advantage.
Tamzin Boyce would pace the Cardinals on the afternoon as the only Cardinal to score multiple tries in the game. It was her second multi-try match of the season, after she scored two tries in the team's home opener against Emory & Henry. Boyce brings a combination of speed and finesse that she uses to her advantage on the pitch. After transferring in as one of several players to help build this Cardinal team, Boyce has been an assett that they look to continue to use down the stretch. The Cardinals have spread the ball around throughout the season, with several different Cardinals contributing to the 4-0 record.
On the defensive side of the ball, Alexis Dallas has been the enforcer for the Cardinals throughout the season. She has routinely led the Cardinal's defense in tackles through the first four games. She has also used that power running to convert some big tries, adding her third try of the year against Cincinnati two weeks ago. Dallas has scored at least one try in every game she has played this season, and looks to continue to be a leader for the team. The other Cardinal captain pacing the Wheeling effort is Bella Gullatta. The Cardinal kicker has accounted for half of her team's points in each of her four games, including a 22-point game in which she was 6-7 on conversion kicks. She has had 20 or more points in three of the four games for the Cardinals this season and looks to continue to be a leader for the program.
Wheeling will enter the final week of what has been a four-game homestand this morning and are looking to finish strong. They checked another first off their list this past week, earning the #5 ranking in the NCR Top 20 Coaches Poll. It was the first National ranking for the program in school history as they not only establish themselves as a program, but are now fighting for a spot in the NCR National 15's Playoffs. They have had the luxury of playing at home in four of their first five games, but as the calendar flips to October, they will have to be road warriors. Including this morning's contest, three of the next five games for the team come away from Bishop Schmitt Field as they look to continue to rack up wins down the stretch.
The Bobcats Lair
As Wheeling adds another first ever matchup this week, they battle an Ohio University team that is hungry for a bounce back. Last time out, they fell to West Virginia University 33-17 in a tightly contested game at Ohio University. Like the Cardinals, the Bobcats were able to spread the ball around on offense, with three different players scoring tries while Juliette Darrell added the final conversion kick to get them to their 17-point final.
The Details
Kick-off for this morning's game is scheduled for 10 AM inside Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the action live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Play-by-Play HERE.
