The Wisconsin Women improved to 4-0 in Midwest league play after defeating the visiting Twin Cities Amazons 29-10 at the Wisconsin Rugby Club Sports Complex Saturday.
Wisconsin lock Jessica Burda opened up scoring just four minutes into play, dotting the ball down in the far corner by the flag after a series of forward plays to keep the ball moving forward.
The Zons rallied hard after this early score, providing Wisconsin with a tough, physical match in front of the home crowd. Wisconsin flanker Kris Peterson broke a brief scoring drought at 26 minutes after racing through the opposition to center the ball under the posts. Outside Center Kelly Mullen made the kick for the conversion, improving the score to 12-0.
With just five minutes left in the half, Amazon wing Kate Stephens scored for the visiting team to finally put some points on the board, 12-5. The ensuing conversion was missed.
After the halftime with both teams making substitutions, it took Wisconsin 17 minutes to pick apart the Zons defense to score again. Flyhalf Meaghan White raced in the try at 57 minutes (conversion missed).
Wisconsin’s backline built momentum as the second half progressed. Backline teammates Nicole Helmer (Inside Center) and Lily Khadempour (Fullback) dotted down Wisconsin’s last two tries at 67 minutes and 75 minutes, respectively, while Mullen made the final conversion to increase the home team’s lead to 29-5. However, Zons wing Jasmine Davis proved the Twin Cities team wasn’t finished, earning a final unconverted try in the final minute to make it 29-10.
The Wisconsin Women have now beaten every other team in the Midwest North Division and have two league games remaining for this fall.
*********
Wisconsin Women – 29
Twin Cities Amazons (D2) – 10
Wisconsin Tries – Jessica Burda, Nicole Helmer, Lily Khadempour, Kris Peterson, Meaghan White.
Wisconsin Conversions – Kelly Mullen (2)
Twin Cities Amazons Tries – Jasmine Davis, Kate Stephens
Twin Cities Amazons Conversions – None
Wisconsin Lineup:
1. Melissa “Helga” Polheber
2. Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea
3. Nadia Riese
4. Jessica Burda
5. Mollie Overby
6. Amanda Stoltz
7. Kris Peterson
8. Kelly Clerkin (Captain)
9. Mary Hanks
10. Meaghan White
11. Jennifer Messer
12. Nicole Helmer (Captain)
13. Kelly Mullen
14. Katie Odens
15. Lily Khadempour
Reserves: Samantha Clevenger, Jill Lehman, Maddie Hettinger, Meg Blodgett, Corinna Senn, Emi Frerichs, Kim Distin, Marissa “Fizz” Kraynak.
Thank you to all of our B-side and Reserve players for their great support!
