After beginning the season with two impressive victories, women's rugby faced a tough road test with back-to-back games against Army and Penn State, teams ranked number three and number one respectively in the latest Women's DI College Top 20.  The result was a 30-3 win over the Black Knights on Friday and a 30-6 loss to the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

The number four ranked Lady Lions demonstrated balance on offense and strength on defense against Army.  Joyce Taufa, McKenzie Hawkins, Kendal McCracken, and Chelsey McMichael each dotted down for Lindenwood.  Hawkins also accounted for another 10 points with two conversions and two penalty kicks. 

Head coach Billy Nicholas noted the importance of the outcome.

"This was a massive win for us this season, and really solidified the growth of our program," he said.  "We knew coming into this match that Army had great fitness and a relentless attitude.  Not allowing a try against them shows how much our players really stepped up to the challenge."

After the solid effort Friday night, the Lady Lions faced a fresh Penn State team on Saturday and suffered the first loss of the season.  Lindenwood failed to get into the try zone and only managed two penalty kicks from Hawkins.  The All-American was positive despite the outcome.

"We were tested defensively for the first time this weekend," she said.  "The loss this weekend was merely numerical for us because our ceiling for growth and potential is extremely high."

Game captain Gioanna Cruz echoed the same thoughts.

"We stayed positive the whole time as a team," she said.  "We had a sense of urgency, but at the same time we kept our composure even when things didn't go our way.  We just kept pushing and that is a testament to how we played for one another out there."
 
With the win and loss, the Lady Lions now have a 3-1 record on the season.  After a two week break, Lindenwood faces two games in three days on the road.  The first is October 9 against the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.  The second is October 11 against the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.  The opening kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. each day. 
 
The Lindenwood second XV was also in action against Army and Penn State and came away with a 37-0 victory over the Black Knights and a 50-37 win against the Nittany Lions.  Alishia Jordan, Kailei Peters, Reina Anderson, Morgan Michaud, Jennese Bacon, and Jamaisha Farley scored for the Lady Lions in the Army game with Kristine Osachuk booting three conversions.  Jordan dotted down three times for Lindenwood in the Penn State battle, Carlene McPolin scored twice, and Anne Reed, Kim Shepard, and Jolene Steibel added one try each.  Osachuk kicked five conversions for 10 points.  The second XV remains undefeated for the season.