Wheeling, W. Va. - In their inaugural season on the pitch, the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team took the rugby world by storm, winning the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) DI National Championship. They head into year two with a bit of a target on their back and the goal of becoming just the third program in NCR history to win back-to-back titles. On Saturday, the title defense begins as the team travels to State College, Pennsylvania, to meet Penn State, with kickoff at 11 AM.
In 2024, the Cardinals were a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, winning each of their 12 games during the 15's season. The offense was a driving force to that success, averaging 54.4 PPG and eclipsing the 50-point mark six times during the year. On the defensive side, the Cardinals were just as strong, allowing just 8.4 PPG and earning five shutouts during the season. The Cardinals would capture their first-ever conference title, beating St. Bonaventure in the 2024 Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU) Championships, and went on as the #1 seed in the NCR 15's National Playoffs. They battled The University of Virginia in the Quarterfinal round to a 31-27 score before advancing to the NCR National Championship match. There, they would end the run with a 58-17 win, claiming the NCR DI 15's National Title.
Leading the way for the Cardinals in their inaugural season was senior Bella Gullatta, who contributed in all facets of the offensive game. She was the Cardinal's leading point scorer during the season, finishing with 170 points, with her biggest contributions coming in the kicking game. Gullatta would make 72.37% of her conversion kick attempts (55-76) and added a 66.7% (4-6) mark on penalty kick attempts. While most of the Cardinals' matches were decided by 20+ points but, as the Cardinals continue to level-up their competition, they will be looking for consistent kicking throughout the season. While she was a force on the kicking tee, Gullatta would make her own path down the field, finishing fourth on the team with nine tries during the season. Gullatta is one of five captains on this year's squad, and is looking to continue to be a leader for the team on the pitch.
The Cardinal's leading try scorer last season would be Alexis Dallas, who finished with 17 tries and 87 points during the year. As the games got bigger, Dallas's play got stronger as she scored one try in each of the Cardinal's three NCR postseason games. She set the single-game try record when she scored four against Kent State, but was also one of the hardest hitting Cardinals on the field, leading the Cardinals in both tackles and tackles/game. On the outside, the Cardinals look to Tamzin Boyce to use her speed to get around opposing defenses. Boyce would sit third on the team with 11 tries and 55 points, scoring multiple tries in the Cardinal's National Championship game. Boyce and Dallas were also elected to the NCR's All-Star Shield challenge last season and will be leaders for the Cardinals throughout the season.
As they open the 2025 season, Head Coach Ken Pape has noted that the team has heightened their level of competition. They will be facing several teams who made the national stage during both 15's and 7's season. The beginning of the year will see the Cardinals on the road for the first two games, as they look to handle their business away from Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinals are used to playing on the road, with only one of their four postseason games during 15's season being played at home last year, and they look to continue that success. They return home in the middle of the month for six straight home games through the middle of October, and a hot start on the road can set them up for success down the stretch run.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Nittany Lions will be meeting for the fourth time in program history, and the second time during 15's season, when they meet on Saturday. Penn State holds the overall series lead, going 2-1 in three matchups, but the Cardinals hold the 15's advantage winning last fall's matchup. The Cardinals are averaging 21.67 PPG in the previous three meetings, while holding the Nittany Lions to 20 points or fewer each time out.
Their last 15's meeting came September 21st of last season, in a game the Cardinals would hold on to win 39-14. Tamzin Boyce would lead the way for the Cardinals, scoring two tries on the day and being the only Cardinal to hit the multi-try mark. Bella Gullatta continued her success in the kicking game, nailing six of her seven conversion kicks and both of her penalty kicks. She also added a try to bring her point total to 23 for the night.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday morning's game is scheduled for 11 AM on the West Fields on the campus of Penn State. Follow along with all the action at wucardinals.com
