On Saturday February 24, the University of Mary Washington women's rugby team travelled to Barry Farm Recreation Center in Washington DC. That day, George Washington University hosted a series of Rugby 7s friendlies. In addition to UMW and GW, Georgetown University and the University of Maryland were in attendance.
The first opponent for UMW was George Washington. At the opening, UMW's Nyah Speicher ('26) returned the kickoff to put UMW ahead 5-0, just 18 seconds into the match. GW received the ensuing kickoff, but possession was quickly turned over to Mary Washington. Breaking through the GW backline was Ava Ward ('27), scoring the second try for UMW. Ward also kicked the conversion, to make it 12-0, three minutes into the match. History repeated itself, when just three minutes later, Ward punched in her second try of the half, again making the conversion. At half, the score was 19-0 in UMW's favor.
In the second half, the UMW attacked slowed a bit, as they sat on a comfortable lead. The ball exchanged hands a couple times before UMW's Morgan Butler ('27) was able to score her first try of the match. Now ahead 24-0, UMW seemed to sit back and play defense for the last few minutes of the game. Shutting down the GW attack, UMW's pressure forced another turnover. With no time remaining Libby "Turbo" York ('24) scored UMW's final try of the match. York also kicked the conversion for UMW. The final score was Mary Washington 31 -George Washington 0.
The second opponent for UMW was the University of Maryland. The game started with a kick to Maryland. However, after a turnover and a series of breakdowns, UMW was able to score the first try of the match, two minutes into the half. Scoring was Ava Ward. Maryland received the next kickoff and took control of the attack. After a series of bad tackles and positional errors by UMW, Maryland was able to score at the fourth minute. The UMD try went unconverted, leaving the score even at 5-5. UMW received the kickoff, but quickly turned it over to UMD. With a second strong attack UMD score at the fifth minute, this time converting the try and making it 12-5 in Maryland's favor. The two quick Maryland scores were a wake-up call for UMW, as they were facing a team with a faster pace than their previous opponent. UMW settled down and countered by scoring a quick try. UMW then took possession from Maryland on the kickoff, again scoring a try. Although both tries were unconverted, UMW was finally in the lead, 15-12 at half.
The second half kickoff saw an error by UMW, resulting in a turnover to Maryland. Two minutes into the half, Maryland was able to take the lead back with an unconverted try, 17-15. UMW took the kickoff, setting up multiple phases, and was able to put the ball across Maryland's goal line, retaking the lead 20-17. Scoring for UMW was Morgan Butler. For the next several minutes, it looked like either team could win the match. The play was intense, with both sides having opportunities to move the ball. UMW finally caught Maryland out of position, as Ava Ward was able to score her second try of the match, opening the lead for UMW. Maryland took the kickoff down field, but a knock-on, approximately 10 meters outside of UMW's goal, ended Maryland's hopes for another try. The whistle blew and Mary Washington came out ahead 25-17.