WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Bowdoin College women's rugby team completed a perfect season, dominating the University of New England 31-12, in the championship match of the 2021 NIRA Division III Tournament on Sunday.
Head Coach
MaryBeth Mathews' squad completes the 2021 season with an immaculate 8-0 record, their second consecutive NIRA Division III title (also 2019) and extended their winning streak to 11 matches overall dating back to October of 2019.
Match Highlights
- Molly Petronzio got Bowdoin on the board just five minutes into the match with a nice build-up by the Polar Bears that included a two-point conversion to take a 7-0 lead.
- Following UNE getting on the board with an unconverted try to cut the lead to 7-5, the Polar Bears rolled off 12 straight points, getting a pair of tries from Rebecca Vakarau in the 19th and 25th minute to take a 19-5 advantage.
- Bowdoin held off a late charge by UNE, holding the ball up and preventing a score before halftime to carry their 14-point lead into the break.
- Bowdoin continued to roll, getting a try from Ashlynn Autrey just four minutes into the second half and then another from Vakarau in the seventh, with an assist from Colleen Doucette, to take a commanding 31-5 lead.
- UNE added a late score but it wasn't enough as the Polar Bears walked away with the crown.
By The Numbers
- Bowdoin's individual tackling and team defense led the way to the championship win as Vakarau, Ella Slaby, and Sadie McClean led the way with 12 tackles apiece.
- The Polar Bears held tough in three goal line stands, including the key stop and resulting in a 5 meter dropout kick just before the half.
- With UNE on the attack especially in the second half, the entire defensive line held fast, with 8-9 tackles each from Ashlynn Autrey, Colleen Doucette, Jess Yang and Jorja Markella.
- Petronzio accounted for Bowdoin's conversion kicks on the afternoon.
- First-year Vakarau was named the championship game Most Valuable Player.
