Monthly Archives: June 2016

Stanford Finish 4th at USA Rugby College 7s National Championships

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Cary, NC – Stanford Women’s Rugby traveled to Cary, NC for the 2016 USA Rugby College 7s National Championships. The Cardinal qualified for nationals by winning the Stanford Sevens during fall quarter. The team prepared through the spring quarter and was drawn in Pool B with Life University (GA), University of Virginia and Texas A&M.

 

With a loss in last year’s quarterfinals to UVA, Stanford was expected to struggle in their opening match of the tournament. After settling into the match, Stanford scored each side of half time to go up 12-0 with tries to Maya Theuer and Madda Wilson. UVA hit back with a try before Fiona Meyer-Tereul iced the game with a long range try. The final score was 19-5.

 

Saturday opened against Texas A&M in the stadium. The 24-0 win was marked by a hat trick to Maya Theuer and a solo try to Madda Wilson. It was a good defensive start to the day with great hustle shown by the team.

 

In the last match of pool play, Stanford was meet Life University. With a score line of 7-0 at half time, the Cardinal had hung tough but a few handling errors proved costly with Life running away with the match 24-5. The solo try being scored by Olivia Bernadel-Huey.

 

The final match of the day was the quarterfinal with the Cardinal seeded #5 taking on #4 Central Washington University. CWU, a varsity program,  started strongly and with 3 minutes left looked to have an unassailable lead 19-7 after a try and conversion to Olivia Berndel-Huey. However, a yellow card and a penalty try created an opportunity for the Cardinal at 19-14. With a scrum near midfield, the Cardinal fed the ball and moved it wide to Maya Theuer, who got outside her opponent and cruised for the try to draw the game. With only seconds left, the captain, Olivia Bernadel-Huey kicked the conversion for the first Cardinal lead at 21-19. Off the kick-off, a connected Cardinal defense forced the error and Stanford moved onto the semi-finals.

 

With Tropical Storm Bonnie looming, USA Rugby moved all matches ahead on Sunday. Stanford was bested by Life University in their semi-final that was marred by the torrential rain. Unfortunately, Stanford could not adapt to the conditions and eventual champions Life University ended the Cardinal hopes with a 26-0. The Cardinal ended in the tournament with a loss to finish in 4th place overall.

Stanford Women’s Rugby capped the 7s season with a fantastic tournament performance, that saw them in the improve on their finish from 2015. Thank you for all the support from parents, siblings, friends and alumni in Cary, NC and watching the live stream.