The season’s first away match proved to be no problem for the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team as they earned a 69-14 victory in Iowa against the Palmer Women.
The win improves Wisconsin to 3-0 in the Midwest Division 2 league standings.
The lopsided score saw Wisconsin score 12 tries, predominantly with wide-out play by the team’s backs. WWRFC wing Sybil Levine opened up scoring at the one-minute mark. Additional tries followed by fullback Ashley Shaw, outside center Justine Wypych, and opposite wing Felicia Carlson. Levine, Wypych, and Carlson later each earned a second try a piece.
Forward flanker Kris Peterson and No. 8 Grace Hovde also contributed to the scoreboard, with one try and two tries respectively.
Palmer’s roster challenged Wisconsin in fitness and defensive attack which slowed down the visiting team’s scoring opportunities later in the match as Wisconsin also started subbing across the roster. Palmer ended Wisconsin’s hopes for a shutout with two tries in the closing minutes by Helga Thorolfsdottir and Callie Horstman.
Wisconsin ended the match with a final try by prop-turned-wing Melissa “Helga” Pohleber, playing in the backline due to injuries to teammates.
Wisconsin flyhalf Elisa Becker added three successful conversions to the scoreline overall.