On Saturday October 21, the UMW Women's Rugby team travelled to the University of Maryland. A victory in this match would clinch a playoff spot for Mary Washington. At the opening kickoff, UMW marched the ball downfield. Within two minutes Aria Clements ('24) scored a try. Two more kickoffs resulted in two more trys for UMW; one by Grace Williams ('24) and a second for Clements. A conversation by Libby York ('24) made the score 17-0 just minutes into the match.
On the following kickoff, UMW kicked the ball deep into Maryland territory, giving Maryland's its first possession of the game. A Maryland turnover a few minutes later gave the ball back to Mary Washington. After a series of quick rucks, York picked the ball off the back of a ruck and dove over for a score, making it 22-0. UMW continued to dominate possession and scored two more times before half. At the 24th minute Carrie Garvey ('24) was able score in the corner, and Williams broke through under the posts on a penalty to score her second try of the match. At half, the score was 32-0 in UMW's favor.
In the second half, several substitutions were made by Mary Washington. However, just two minutes into the half, Katie Dickinson ('27) scored her first ever rugby try off a penalty play. The conversion by York made the score 39-0. Five minutes later, UMW was able to swing the ball wide, as Theresa Oetgen ('27) scored in the corner. Within minutes after the kickoff, UMW was back in front of the Maryland goal. Williams picked the ball off the back of the scrum, went weak side, and dove over for her third try of the match. The pace of the attack slowed for Mary Washington, as that was their last score of the match. At the 75th minute, a Maryland winger was able to turn the corner outside of the UMW defense scoring a try in the corner. Play continued for another four minutes before the match ended. At the final whistle, the score was 49-5, Mary Washington over Maryland.
The victory ensured UMW a spot on the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference playoffs. The final seeding and opponent will be determined Sunday Oct 22. Likely opponents are Temple University and the University of Delaware. The semifinals will be held in Frederick, Maryland.