SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame College women's rugby team is currently undefeated after a pair of wins against Bowling Green State University and conference rival University of Pittsburgh. The Falcons won by a combined score of 169-5, displaying their dominance on both sides of the ball.

The Falcons opened up their three-game homestand against Bowling Green, a last minute replacement for Colgate University, who forfeited earlier in the week. The Falcons set the tone early capitalizing on an early BGSU mistake, pinning the visitors inside their own 5m line. The Falcons' forwards went to work controlling play and sophomore scrum half Rosa Treece was the beneficiary, dotting it down under the uprights for the first score of the game two minutes in. This first score seemed to open the floodgates for the Falcons as not even four minutes later senior flyhalf Kelly Wallenhorst also found herself in the try zone for the first of her pair on the day.

BGSU struggled to get anything going under the suffocating defense from Notre Dame College, led by player of the match Lucy Leatherman and forward of the match Paula Nieves, whose brutal counter rucks and relentless poaching created several turnovers throughout the match. Junior Charlee McCormick would find herself in the try zone at the 12 minute mark after an impressive run through half a dozen defenders.

Not to be outdone by the forwards, inside center Maizie Kies would get the backs on the scoresheet with an amazing show of her turn of pace, outracing defenders en route to a 35m try scoring run. Junior transfer Mariah Crews would get herself on the scoresheet five minutes later in her debut for the Falcons. McCormick would dot down twice more within three minutes and complete the hat trick 25 minutes into the half. Back of the match Kylie Mixter, making her season debut at outside center would also work her way into the try zone before the half was over, capping a stellar first half for her. Wallenhorst and Treece would add two more inside the half as the Falcons would take a 62-0 lead into the break.

The start of the second half would be more of the same as sophomore Avery Bruzda opened the scoring three minutes into the half. Kies would add another pair herself completing a hat trick of her own, bracketing a scintillating try from freshman Jada Diaz. Diaz displayed her step and her speed with an ankle breaking inside-out move to score down the sideline. Senior Alexa Piazza, juniors Deirdra Dorazio and Nieves, along with sophomore Emalyse Higgins would continue the scoring for the Falcons who were never in danger during the match. Treece would add one more as well giving the Falcons a triplet of hat tricks. Closing out the scoring for the day was debutante freshman Emma Monfore, capping off an impressive team win 116-0.

Next up, the Falcons would open their conference schedule against cross border rival the University of Pittsburgh, in an important D1 showdown. Coming into the match with a short bench, the Falcons showed their mettle, grinding out a 53-5 win, keeping them undefeated on the season.

Continuing her streak of scoring the first try in every match so far this season, the dynamic Treece dotted down in the try zone just four minutes after the opening whistle. Leatherman would convert from the wide side, putting the Falcons up 7-0 early in the first. After weathering a brief surge from Pitt, forward of the match Leatherman would add seven more with a try of her own straight down the middle making for an easy extra two with the kick after.

Pitt would not be deterred, pushing forward with ball in hand, trying to capitalize on a few undisciplined penalties committed by the Falcons around the breakdown. McCormick, Neives, and Bruzda showed off their tackling skills while Leatherman and Piazza counter rucked tirelessly to regain possession. Back of the match freshman Hannah Mitchell stopped Pitt from gaining any ground on the outside while also providing valuable meters on offense. Leatherman and Treece would continue their offensive rampage scoring three more tries, two by Treece to complete the hat trick, before the half was up. 

Pitt came out of the break firing, down 31-0 to the home side, attacking down the middle and testing the Falcon defense. After weathering the early onslaught, Kies would capitalize on a missed tackle and run away for the first score of the half. Treece would add a fourth of her own five minutes later and the Falcons would continue to roll. Displaying a total team offense with great ball distribution from senior flyhalf Wallenhorst and anchored by standout defensive efforts from fellow senior Leatherman and the freshman Mitchell, the Falcons were never in danger. Crews would close out the scoring with back-to-back tries three minutes apart before Pitt would finally get on the board scoring jst before the final whistle.

Next up for the Falcons is Allegheny Conference rival Kent State, on Oct. 21, with a trip to playoffs on the line. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on Mueller Field.


vs. BGSU
NDC: 
Starters: Nneka Scott, Avery Bruzda, Mary McLoughlin (Jada Diaz), Paula Nieves, Kori Dawkins (Emma Monfore), Alexa Piazza, Charlee McCormick, Lucy Leatherman, Rosa Treece, Kelly Wallenhorst, Mariah Crews, Maizie Kies, Kylie Mixter, Deirdra Dorazio, Emalyse Higgins. 
 
Scoring: 
R. Treece 2' (L. Leatherman), 29', 64'
K. Wallenhorst 6' (L. Leatherman), 40'
C. McCormick 12' (L. Leatherman), 23', 25(L. Leatherman)
Kies 15', 47' (L. Leatherman), 54'
M. Crews 20', 61' (L. Leatherman)
K. Mixter 35' (L. Leatherman)
A. Bruzda 43'
J. Diaz 50'
A. Piazza 57' (J. Diaz)
E. Higgins 71'
D. Dorazio 75'
E. Monfore 79'
 
Conversions 
L. Leatherman 6/13
J. Diaz 1/7
 
vs. Pitt
NDC: 
Starters: Nneka Scott, Avery Bruzda, Mary McLoughlin (Dierdra Dorazio 55'), Paula Nieves, Lucy Leatherman, Mariah Crews, Alexa Piazza, Charlee McCormick, Rosa Treece, Kelly Wallenhorst, Kylie Mixter, Maizie Kies, Hannah Mitchell, Emilie Dobranski, Emalyse Higgins. 
 
Scoring: 
R. Treece 4' (L. Leatherman), 24', 37', 50'
L. Leatherman 15' (L. Leatherman), 30' (L. Leatherman)
Kies 45',
M. Crews 58', 61' (L. Leatherman)
 
Conversions 
L. Leatherman 4/9