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Columbus, OH. – The highly anticipated National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Women’s 15’s National Championships commenced on Friday afternoon at the Obetz Fortress in Columbus, Ohio. Earning the distinction of the #1 team in the nation in their inaugural season, the Wheeling University Women’s Rugby team faced off against the University of Virginia, marking a thrilling anniversary rematch. The clash would prove to be a gripping contest that came down to the final minute, with Wheeling clinching a hard-fought 31-27 victory, thus propelling them forward to the NCR Semifinals slated for Sunday.
The Cardinals initiated the game with a kickoff, leading to an intense back-and-forth battle between both defenses for the initial ten minutes. Taking place on a brisk day in Columbus, Ohio, possession of the ball became a challenge as it proved slippery, causing each side to endure multiple turnovers. In a breakthrough moment at the 10th minute, Tamzin Boyce made a spectacular run down the sidelines, breaking free to score the Cardinal’s inaugural try of the day. She grounded the ball right between the posts, allowing Bella Gullatta to convert successfully and giving Wheeling an early 7-0 advantage. However, it took another 12 minutes for the Cavaliers to respond; Alexis Dallas showcased her agility, pushing the team down to the 2-meter mark before passing to Ems Tai, who expertly crossed the try line to score. Despite a missed conversion, the score moved to 12-0 as the Cardinal offense began gaining momentum.
Following a pivotal turnover caused by their strong defensive unit, it was once again Alexis Dallas who spearheaded the Cardinals’ charge toward another score. Demonstrating remarkable speed and tenacity, she stormed the ball down the sidelines, reaching midfield before making a strategic offload to Boyce. With a swift turn of pace, Boyce found the Try Zone for the second time that day. Gullatta successfully converted once again, extending Wheeling’s lead to 19-0. Nevertheless, with 27 minutes remaining in the half, the Cavaliers were determined to mount a comeback. They managed to score three times before halftime, going 0-3 on conversion kicks, which tightened the score to a mere four-point game at 19-15 as the two teams headed into the locker rooms. Head coach Ken Pape and his captains rallied the squad for a second-half resurgence.
Their message was one of resilience—urging the players to remain calm and continue battling regardless of the clock’s time. The Cardinals took this message to heart. Twelve minutes into the second half, the team made a strong push towards the goal line to extend their lead. Although Wheeling faced rejection on three successive attempts to score, the fourth time proved fruitful. They skillfully maneuvered the ball toward the flanks, with Gullatta executing a perfect final pass to Abbi Siller, who then dove over the try line. Despite an unsuccessful conversion, the Cardinals managed to elevate their advantage to 24-15. As the clock ticked towards the 60th minute, Wheeling maintained a slim nine-point lead, yet the Cavaliers struck back with another try, narrowing the gap to 24-20. This match was turning out to be the toughest challenge for the Cardinals thus far, and they needed to summon all their strength for one final push to secure victory.
That decisive push arrived in the 68th minute when Dallas delivered a significant defensive hit that caused a turnover. Seizing the opportunity to regain possession, the ball was handed off to the team captain to finish the scoring drive. Dallas propelled through the defense to put her third try on the board, and Gullatta completed the play with a successful conversion kick, raising the score to 31-20 in favor of the Cardinals. While the Cavaliers managed to make one last push, scoring in the 87th minute and reducing the game to a close 31-27 after their successful conversion, the Cardinals held their ground. In a final strategic move, they kicked the ball out of bounds to successfully end the match. This victory catapulted the Cardinals into the NCR semifinal round, where they will meet Northeastern on Sunday.
Alexis Dallas was the standout player for the Cardinals, finishing the day with three tries that collectively tallied 15 points. This marks her fourth consecutive match in which she has scored multiple tries, and notably, it was the second occasion in that stretch where she achieved three or more in a single game. Tamzin Boyce also shone brightly, contributing two tries, both of which came in the first half, and earning herself 10 points. Bella Gullatta handled the crucial kicking responsibilities, successfully converting 3 out of 5 attempts, adding six points to the team’s score. Ems Tai and Abbi Siller each contributed tries as well, rounding off a productive day by scoring the final 10 points for the Cardinals.
The Wheeling University Women’s Rugby team is set to return to action on Sunday, November 17th, where they will face Northeastern. The exact time of the match is yet to be determined.
How do you plan to foster team cohesion and skill development as you look ahead to future seasons beyond this inaugural year?
**Interview with Ken Pape, Head Coach of Wheeling University Women’s Rugby Team**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Pape! Congratulations on your team’s thrilling victory against the University of Virginia in the NCR Women’s 15’s National Championships. How does it feel to secure a spot in the semifinals?
**Ken Pape:** Thank you! It feels incredible. This victory is not just about advancing; it’s a testament to the hard work and determination of our players throughout the season. To have achieved this in our inaugural year makes it even more special.
**Interviewer:** The match was intense, with your team initially leading 19-0. However, the Cavaliers rallied back to make the score 24-20. What was your message to the team during that challenging moment?
**Ken Pape:** I emphasized resilience. We knew they would come back; that’s rugby for you. I reminded the players to keep calm and trust in their training. We had been in tough situations before, and I wanted them to focus on executing our game plan rather than the score.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the players, Tamzin Boyce had a remarkable performance with two tries. What can you say about her contributions to the game and the season as a whole?
**Ken Pape:** Tamzin has been phenomenal all season long. Her speed and determination are unmatched, and her ability to read the game and exploit gaps in the defense was crucial today. She embodies the spirit of our team, and her efforts set a tone for others to follow.
**Interviewer:** As you head into the semifinals, what areas do you feel the team needs to improve upon based on today’s match?
**Ken Pape:** We need to work on our consistency in retaining possession and our defensive formations. The turnovers were problematic, especially as the Cavaliers capitalized on those moments. If we can tighten those aspects, I believe we can perform even better in the semifinals.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what do you enjoy most about coaching this team in its inaugural season?
**Ken Pape:** It’s the growth and camaraderie among the players. Seeing them bond, push each other, and develop both individually and as a team is incredibly rewarding. Every game brings new challenges, and I love witnessing their passion as they rise to meet those challenges together.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Pape! Best of luck in the semifinals; we’re excited to see how your team progresses.
**Ken Pape:** Thank you! We appreciate the support, and we’ll be ready to give our all.