Charlottesville, VA – The Penn State women traveled to UVA this Saturday to round out their preseason preparation.
Penn State's, Merrin McSorley '25, started the team's scoring on the wing from a well worked turnover by senior backrow Kaitlyn Sosa. Outside Center, Darby Miller's support play was then rewarded with back to back tries, widening Penn State's lead to 19-0 early in the first half.
UVA's tactical kicking game pinned Penn State in their own half and a penalty to UVA right outside the 22 put the Cavaliers in excellent scoring position. Good continuity and hard running by UVA resulted in a try and conversion, narrowing Penn Stat'e lead to 19 - 7. Penn State ended the half with one additional try, capitalizing on a botched kick by UVA in their own 22. Some quick handling saw Tara Forde '25 score in the corner from wing, sending the Nittany Lions into half up 26-7.
The game was highlighted by great continuity and excellent offloading. Penn State was able to attack from edge to edge through multiple phases resulting in 4 more tries. Hard work on defense also limited UVA's attacking options, who only saw the 22 once in the second half. The game ended Penn State 52, UVA 7.
The team now heads into a bye weekend before returning to the field on Saturday September 30th at 10:30am, against their first D1 Elite opponent Life University at home. Sunday October 1st the team will also match up against Shippensburg at 12:30pm and will showcase this years brand new rugby players.
Make sure to follow us on social media @PennStateWRugby on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter). You can also catch our games live streamed on the VEO Live app. Go to the Veo app and follow "Penn State Women's Rugby." Links to download the app are below.
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/veo-live/id1573754839
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.veo.live&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1
You can also support the teams 2023-2024 season by donating to the PSU Rugby Booster Club or via The Nittany Lion Club (can also TEXT: PSUWRugby to 41444 to donate).
Tries
McSorley '25
Miller '25 x2
Forde '24 x2
Heffelfinger '24
Nasarenko '25
Sosa '24
Conversions
Miller '25 x3
Heffelfinger '24 x 3