The St. Thomas University Tommies women’s rugby team sealed their spot in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association finals by beating the Mount Allison University Mounties 38-20 in semi-final action on Oct. 26.
Sam Longstaff of the Tommies was the first to score, giving her team the lead just five minutes into the game. Kristen Bulman scored the next try to extend their lead, as the Tommies got off to a hot start, scoring the first 31 points of the game, with Kassie Trainor, Becca Baker and Olivia Ricketts running the ball from nearly the full length of the field, all scoring in the first half.
The Mounties would score a field goal with less than five minutes left in the half and followed it up with a try. The Tommies went into the second half with a 31-8 lead.
Head coach Mary-Kim Schriver was impressed with her team’s play.
“The girls played a solid game,” Schriver said.
“They knew what they had to do and they did it.”
The second half didn’t go as well for the Tommies, as the Mounties attempted a comeback, scoring 10 minutes into the half and again at the 68 minute to put the score at 31-20. Kyra Gates of the Tommies was able to end the Mounties’ momentum, scoring late in the game and extending the lead once again. The Tommies won the game 38-20.
Emily Donelle converted on four tries.
The Tommies will get their third shot at the University of New Brunswick Reds this season. In their two matchups, the Reds defeated the Tommies 31-17 and 45-38. This will be the fifth straight season the Reds and Tommies have matched up in the ACAA finals. UNB has won all matchups in the finals.
“Keep conditioning physically and mentally,” Schriver said of her team’s preparation for the finals.
“There must be a healthy balance and pressure to keep momentum.”
