BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College women's rugby team
bounced back from last week's loss to take a convincing 32-0 win
over the University of Maine-Orono on Saturday. Before a full crowd
of alumnae and friends, the Polar Bears improved to 3-3 this
fall.
Bowdoin dominated from the opening kickoff and scored early on
with a heads up play by scrumhalf Becky Stevens, who ran upfield
with the ball, drew the UMO defense in, kicked over their heads,
and followed upfield, collecting the ball off the bounce and
scampering into the endzone. The forward pack, led by
co-captain Loryn
Fridie, continued their strong rucking, retaining good ball
possession for the Polar Bears. Moving downfield on a series
of runs by wingers Kerry Townsend and Zara Bowden, Bowdoin
took advantage of a Black Bear penalty, 
and after three consecutive plays off the base of the ruck, Fridie
scored, bringing the score to 10-0. Bowdoin's backline
defense was greatly improved with flyhalf Katie Mathews returning
to the lineup and centers Carolyn Levin and Sian
Riebe shutting down Maine's attack and creating
turnovers. Feeding off the strong scrummaging of the forward
pack, and their own good backline defense, Bowdoin's backs
then got into the scoring action. Paulina del Rodis,supporting from
fullback, took a pass and scored the try, after a slashing run from
Levin. Marketia
James closed out the first half scoring with a heads up play
off a series of pick and drive moves involving strong support by
the forward pack.
Maine continued to battle back with strong play from their
scrumhalf Kelsie Moreau, high kicks to the fullback, and deep kick
offs that caught Bowdoin out of position, but due to the strong
team defense they were unable to cross the try line. Bowdoin
built on it's first half lead, scoring on two of several excellent
running plays from the backline, well supported by the back row
forwards. Uche
Esonu linked with the backs on a nice play out wide, and Levin
slashed her way through several defenders to ground the ball
between the posts. Stevens made good on the conversion kick,
for the final score of 32-0.
The Polar Bears will return to action next Friday with a key match
at the University of New Hampshire.
Photos courtesy of Brian Beard and Creative Images
Photography.
