Final Score, 67 – 0, win
It was a truly beautiful day for rugby as we headed to Amherst’s home field in the lovely Pioneer Valley.
After a difficult loss against Colby we were ready to come out hard against Amherst and play 80 minutes of strong, competitive rugby. After a few minutes of offensive attack, outside center Emily “The Fast and the Furious” Duh (’14) ran the ball within a meter of the try line, allowing scrum half Sarah “You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar” Minahan (’14) to pick it up and place it just over the line for our first try of the game.
Another series of beautiful attack got us to our offensive 22-meter line. A knock-on allowed an Amherst scrum, however a strong collective drive from our powerful forwards won the ball for Middlebury. Sarah Minahan picked the ball off the scrum and ran it in for the second try of the game.
Lightening quick balls out, hard rucking, and the incredibly fast feet of Emily “Too Fast Too Furious” Duh led to try number 3. No sooner had we set up to receive again when a naïve Amherst kicked it straight into the arms of Emily “Tokyo Drift” Duh, who proved to be untackleable, running through the entire Amherst defense and straight into the try zone.
Not two minutes later, Emily “Fast & Furious” Duh passed a quick ball to full back Tiff “Walking Co-op” Chang (’17) allowing her to put her name on the board.
Middlebury’s forwards and backs worked together seamlessly, both in rucks and offensive lines. Especially strong rucking from prop Katie “Early Bird Special” Linder (’15) and hard runs from wing Heather “Judy Blume” Tourgee (‘17) kept the play in the Amherst defensive half. After a series of aggressive scrums and strong offense, Emily “Fast & Furious 4” Duh scored her third try, making it a hat-trick.
After the seventh received kick-off from Amherst, Middlebury again battled their way to the opposing try line. Inside center Marissa “Who Needs a Pinky?” Shaw (’14) pulled a classic and took the ball off of a ruck, plowed through the unsuspecting Amherst, and scored yet another try.
After a brief intermission, Middlebury kicked off to Amherst. Amherst led a valiant effort, driving down the field nearly to Middlebury’s try-line. Middlebury reclaimed the ball and the counter-attack began. A breakaway run by fly half Sarah “Silent But Deadly” Kravitz (’16), followed by an offload to Tiff Chang allowed her to score her second try of the game.
Amherst conceded a penalty just in front of their uprights, allowing Emily “Fast Five “ Duh to put another 3 points on the board. Shortly after, Amherst conceded another penalty within 5 meters of their defensive try line. Sarah Minahan popped it off to lock Molly “Yellow Brick Bridge” Benedetto (’14) who fought off tackle after tackle to place the ball into the try zone for her FIRST TRY EVER! Tears were shed by members of both teams, fans, and the ref.
To finish off the game, Emily “Fast and Furious Six” Duh danced her way effortless through the Amherst defensive line yet again for the tenth and last Middlebury try of the game.
It was a great game from all players. Shout out to our loose forwards, Brita “Sorry France is Closed” Fisher (’15), Lissa “Don’t Tell Me What To Do” Ortega (’17), and Franny “Get Low” Suarez (’17) for their impressive tackling, and to inside center Marissa Shaw for incredible runs, ball handling, and tackling. Also a very happy birthday to hooker Canary “Finally Legal” Ly (’17), and thank you to the parents who brought snacks and cheer.
We look forward to taking on Bates in our last regular season game this Saturday! Hope to see you there.
First Half
Sarah Minahan – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Sarah Minahan – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Emily Duh – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Emily Duh – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Tiff Chang – 5
Emily Duh – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Marissa Shaw – 5
Second Half
Tiff Chang – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)
Emily Duh – 3
Molly Benedetto – 5
Emily Duh – 5 (Emily Duh – 2)