Wisconsin Slides By Scylla, 19-17, to Remain Undefeated

ruck — It’s always a physical battle when the Wisconsin Women play in-state rivals Milwaukee Scylla.

Phew! That was a close one!

The Wisconsin Women worked on their mental toughness skills Saturday to rally for a tight 19-17 win at home against in-state rivals, the Milwaukee Scylla.

A cold, windy day combined with a out-of-place roster due to some injuries and missing players presented Wisconsin with a tough spot to defend at home against the Scylla. These two teams always play a physical match and Saturday’s game was no different.

Wisconsin took 17 minutes of playing time to earn its first try by wing Emi Frerichs (unconverted) to put the first points on the scoreboard. Teammate and outside center Kelly Mullen added her own try just five minutes later, with a conversion by prop Elisa Becker, to give Wisconsin a 12-0 lead at 22 minutes.

However, Milwaukee’s power No. 8 Abigail Williams ended shutout hopes with a visitor’s try and conversion at 37 minutes to make it a 12-7 game at the half.

Both teams used the half to freshen up legs and the battle continued for another 18 minutes without a score. However, Scylla flyhalf Mara Wellner found the try zone to tie the game at 12-12 heading into the final quarter of the match. The Scylla pounced again just nine minutes later for a try by inside center Lori Haymon to take the 17-12 lead against the frustrated Wisconsin Women.

Facing a possible first loss of the season and a challenge to spring home-field advantage in the playoffs, Wisconsin dug deep and rallied back quickly. As she is known to do, fullback Lily Khadempour threaded through the tiring Scylla defense to find the try zone at the 70 minute mark and Mullen notched the conversion to give the home team back its lead, 19-17.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, the game came down to which team’s legs had the endurance to hold or break. Wisconsin held on to its lead through the whistle, earning an undefeated fall season at 6-0 in league play with the narrow victory.

Wisconsin now takes a break for the winter before returning to league play with road games at the Palmer Women and Twin Cities Amazons in April 2014.

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Wisconsin Women – 19
Milwaukee Scylla – 17

USA Rugby Statistics

Wisconsin Women Tries – Emi Frerichs, Lily Khadempour, Kelly Mullen
Wisconsin Women Conversions – Elisa Becker, Kelly Mullen

Milwaukee Scylla Tries – Lori Haymon, Mara Wellner, Abigail Williams
Milwaukee Scylla Conversions – Abigail Williams

Wisconsin Lineup:
1. Elisa Becker
2. Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea
3. Nadia Riese
4. Melissa Polheber
5. Liz Robinson
6. Amanda “Stoli” Stoltz
7. Kris Peterson
8. Sammy Clevenger
9. Mary Hanks
10. Meaghan White
11. Emi Frerichs
12. Nicole Helmer
13. Kelly Mullen
14. Jennifer Messer
15. Lily Khadempour

Reserves: Meg Blodgett, Kim Distin, Jill Lehmann, Michelle “Mike” Blaser, Greta Slack, Katie “KO” Odens, Marissa “Fizz” Kraynak, Sybil Levine

Wisconsin’s team jerseys laid out for the pre-game lineup ceremony.

Wisconsin scrum vs. the Milwaukee Scylla

Wisconsin’s backs on the attack – Flyhalf Meaghan White passes it wide.

helga — Wisconsin lock Melissa “Helga” Polheber bashes through several Scylla defenders.

mary and backs — No. 9 Mary Hanks attacking off a scrum with support from our backline.

kelly — Wisconsin center Kelly Mullen breaks through the Scylla defense to score a try. Teammates Nicole Helmer (left) and Jennifer Messer (right) are in support.

Wisconsin forward Elisa Becker converts successfully after a try.

halftime — Coach Bob “Wee Bob” Jafferis talking to our players on the sideline.

emi — Defending against the Scylla maul.

Stealing the Scylla lineout deep in our territory.

Wisconsin team captain and inside center Nicole Helmer on the attack.

Wisconsin wing Emi Frerichs outracing the Scylla defense.

base — Wisconsin’s Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea gets clean ball from a great ruck by her teammates.

lily — Wisconsin fullback Lily Khadempour is all smiles in the game.

stoli — This kid has a case of the “Stolis”.

emi — Wisconsin wing Emi Frerichs on the run, but we don’t like that scoreboard right now.

But don’t worry! The forwards are there to help bring the ball up the field. Flanker Kim Distin (17) with lots of support from her teammates after Emi’s rucked ball.

meaghan — Wisconsin flyhalf Meaghan White dishes the ball to hooker Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea for crash ball.

meg — Wisconsin forwards Meg Blodgett and Jill Lehmann on the tear.

Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team photo after defeating Milwaukee Scylla, 19-17, November 2, 2014.

WISCONSIN WOMEN'S RUGBY