Playing their first D1 Elite Conference rugby match of the season, the Lions impressed with a 27-0 shutout of rival Life University Saturday night at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri.

 
After the teams traded possessions for the first 20-minutes, Irie Farley put Lindenwood on the board when she split two defenders and dashed 20-meters for a try in the 21^st minute. After a successful conversion, the Lions led 7-0.
 
It didn't take long for Lindenwood to add to the lead. After some handy ball movement by Ahnea Aupiu, Demi Allen used some fancy footwork with the ball to dodge several defenders and dot down for a try in the 27^th minute to make it 12-0.  
 
It was the Amy Brice show in the final few minutes of the first half. First, she beat four defenders and broke free for a 50-meter run to increase the margin to 17-0. As the break was looming, a great series of phases set up her second 50-meter try within a four-minute span. Longosai Tausinga started the play with a booming run that put the Running Eagles on their back foot, then Jet Metz delivered a short ball to Aupiu who soared a pass to Brice, putting her in the clear for the long run. After an unsuccessful conversion, it was 22-0 Lindenwood and that's where it stayed until halftime.
 
There wasn't much scoring in the second half as the Lions protected their advantage, but they did add on in the 53^rd minute when a nice set piece play created a great platform for attack. After a successful lineout, Metz kicked the ball over the defensive line. Brice grabbed it and the ball then moved seamlessly from her hands through Aifili Tuitau and on to Madison Jersey for a great team try. Lindenwood led 27-0 and that is where the score remained through the rest of the match.
 
After starting their season 1-0 in D1 Elite matches, the Lions will finish the fall campaign with three more conference games, beginning with a road tilt versus Central Washington on October 28. That match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium in Ellensburg, Washington.  
 
 

Lindenwood vs. Life University Scoring Summary
20:45  Irie Farley try; Successful conversion      7-0
26:30  Demi Allen try; Conversion unsuccessful     12-0
33:55  Amy Brice try; Conversion unsuccessful     17-0
37:55  Amy Brice try; Conversion unsuccessful    22-0
52:30  Madison Jersey try; Conversion unsuccessful   27-0