Boxscore (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- For the third consecutive year, the Eastern Illinois women's rugby squad finished the season undefeated at home defeating Iowa State, 55-0, in the Panthers' home finale at Lakeside Field. The win upped Eastern's record to 9-1 on the year with one final road contest on the slate next weekend.

Sophomore center Lauren Doyle led the Panther attack with four trys, including three straight scampers for a score to open the second half scoring. She also added two assists as EIU jumped out to a 31-0 first half lead en route to the shutout. Overall, she finished with four runs over 20-yards in the win and added two steals-at-tackle.

Fellow sophomore Kayla Heal added two trys, while classmates Kelsi Wright and Ashley Aardsma joined freshman Cara Hahn with a try apiece.

Junior Narissa Ramirez, Aardsma and newcomers Emily Chapman and Emily Chapman also earned an assist, while senior Coartney McKinney added her own assist while finishing five-for-nine in two-point conversions. 

Defensively, sophomore Stefanie Mahan led all players with 10 solo tackles and three assisted stops, while newcomer Alissa Patient added eight solo tackles and junior Tina Crema earned six.

Prior to the start of the game, Charleston native McKinney joined fellow seniors Kristy Young and Emily Harrison in a special senior day recognition ceremony alongside their parents and fellow teammates.

In home games this season, EIU outscored their four opponents (Notre Dame, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa State) 213 to 15, which included blanking the Fighting Irish, Golden Gophers and ISU squad.

In unofficial statistical numbers, the Panthers finished with 20 penalties to 15 for Iowa State, with EIU topping the Cyclones in scrums won (12 go 9) and line-outs won (19 to 16).

Eastern will finish up the 2010 schedule next Saturday (Nov. 6) in a 2 pm season finale at Big 12 power Missouri. .

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID