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Hannah Greene<\/strong> | Sports Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Excited vibes mixed with the morning chill as Women\u2019s Rugby got ready to take on Eastern Washington University \u2014 the Banshees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The beginning of the game started with a slow energy but picked up within an instant after Claire Rickis, a first year, of the Wolves snagged the first try of the game. Minutes later, the Wolves score another try thanks to Donna Samuelu, a sophomore, who completed a long-field run and beat the entire Banshee defense making the score 10-0.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWho wants this ball?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI do!\u201d exclaimed the Wolves at kickoff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wolves\u2019 defense swarmed around all the attackers of the Banshees, not allowing for any movement.<\/span><\/p>\n The Sir of the match took many opportunities throughout to coach both teams in proper technique of tackles, rules and gameplay \u2014 creating a positive, supportive and safe playing field.<\/span><\/p>\n Moments later a third try was almost completed, but called back due to a double move \u2014 meaning the ball is moved twice once the player was down \u2014 which gave the Banshees a penalty. This didn\u2019t stop the Wolves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With seven minutes remaining on the clock, Nelly Blancas \u2014 a senior and the president of the Women\u2019s Rugby team \u2014 passed the ball to teammate Emilia Ricci, a first year, who scored, making the Wolves up 15-0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Not even two minutes later, the Banshees let their guard down, and D-Dr\u00e9 Wright was there to take advantage of it, scoring the fourth try of the game and ending the half with a 20-0 lead.<\/span><\/p>\n The whistle blew for the half to end and the Wolves came off with nothing but momentum and confidence. Western\u2019s coach talked strategy and changed the lineup to start the second half with two new faces for the Wolves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Two more point-getters from the Wolves were Lexi Osborn, a senior and her fourth year on the team, and Carmen Deol, a senior and second year returner.<\/span><\/p>\n Within the first three minutes, Wright scores her second try, jumping the score to 25-0. Not even a recovery break is taken and the Banshees face Wright again, only to fail and let her score her third try of the game. The Wolves, now up 30-0, were not letting their foot off the gas, even the slightest.<\/span><\/p>\n Twenty minutes left in the game and an injury on the field calls for a stop in the clock and a player down for the Banshees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wright was on fire, with only four minutes left she scored her fourth and final try of the match making the score 45-0 in favor of the Wolves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Western Oregon Women\u2019s Rugby ends on a high of a great win leaving Eastern Washington with a hard loss to tow home. \u201cI\u2019m so proud of everyone\u201d and \u201cwe feel pretty confident for the season,” said Nelly Blancas after the incredible win in their first home game last Saturday, Oct. 26.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMen\u201d of the Match, which is the term used for MVP, were given to D-Dr\u00e9 Wright and Clair Rickis \u2014 for their undying legs to outrun the Banshee defense repeatedly and the skills they brought to the home opener.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/files\/2019\/11\/3-choice-womens-1024x684.jpg\")
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