Quinnipiac University
Life
QU Women's Rugby Opens Season With 34-19 Victory At Life University
8/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rugby
- Quinnipiac Women's Rugby Homepage
- Quinnipiac Women's Rugby Schedule
- Statistics - Life University
| Team | 1st | 2nd | Final |
| Quinnipiac | 10 | 24 | 34 |
| Life | 7 | 12 | 19 |
MARIETTA, GA. – The Quinnipiac women's rugby team started the season of strong with a 34-19 victory against Life University on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats, now 1-0 on the season, met their opposition at the Life University Rugby Complex for their first all-time meeting. Junior two-time All American Natalie Kosko led Quinnipiac with two tries and two assist.
Kosko got things heated up early with the first try of the game off an assist by senior wing, Elena Orlando (Winters, Calif.). Life quickly took the lead with a try and a successful conversion with 7:50 left on the clock. However, the lead was short lived after a long run and try by the Quinnipiac fly half, Maggie Myles. The sophomore scored two tries and added four assists in eight games during her freshman campaign.
The Bobcats held a slight 10-7 advantage over the Life Running Eagles at the conclusion of the half. Needing to make a presence early in the second frame, Kosko and Orlando again connected for the third Quinnipiac try, but this time it was Orlando finishing the play and putting the points on the board.
With the score at 15-7, the 2013 Rugby Magazine's U20 Player of the Year began her quest to repeat as the Quinnipiac leading scorer by adding her second try of the season. Kosko finished her 2013 sophomore campaign with 33 tries and 165 points.
Graduate student Aine McKeever, a four year Quinnipiac soccer player, added a successful conversion to go up 22-7. McKeever finished her rugby debut going 2-6 on conversions for six points total. She also added a 30 yard run on the first possession of the game, but was stopped about two yards short of the try line.
With about 21 minutes left in play, Shannon Durkin decided to get in on the action and scored her first try of the 2014 season. As a junior last season, Durkin was second on the team with 15 tries and ranked third in points with 75.
Life added their second try and conversion with 16:00 minutes to play, but the Bobcats quickly answered with tough play by Kosko who came through with a hard tackle and steal at the ruck. The junior outside center came back with a stiff arm and assist to fly half, Rachel Wrinn for the last Bobcat score. After tallying one try in her freshman campaign, Wrinn scored the second of her career in the opening contest.
Head coach Becky Carlson felt her team took some time to find rhythm, saying, "Our play was typical of a season opener where new Bobcats were trying to mesh with the old. It took us a full half offensively to find our footing but we were certainly feeling more comfortable after we shook the first game nerves."
Up next, Quinnipiac will return to Hamden for the home opener on Saturday, September 6th against Army. Last season, the Bobcats beat Army 29-18 at the QU Rugby Field behind two tries from Durkin. Kick-off is set for 12 p.m.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Fans can also follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
