Boxscore (PDF)

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Eastern Illinois women's rugby squad picked up where they left off last season, upping their program high winning streak to 27 straight games, as the Panthers blanked Ball State, 59-0, in the 2010 season opener.

Sophomore center Lauren Doyle and freshman wing Cara Hahne each ran-in three trys apiece, leading all players.

Fellow sophomore center Kayla Heal chipped in two five-point scores as well. Also earning points for the Panthers was senior Coartney McKinney, who finished 7-for-9 in the all-important two-point conversions.

Six different players dished out an assist in the win, while Doyle earned three runs-over-20-yards.  Heal and Kelsi Wright had two and one ROT, respectively, as well.

Leading the squad defensively was sophomore Stefanie Mahan off her seven solo tackles and three assisted stops.  McKinney added four solo tackles as well.  Sophomore Ashley Aardsma recorded the lone steal-at-tackle in the rout.

Eastern is now 4-0 all-time versus the Cardinals, having downed the midwestern rival the past three seasons.

The Panthers will now utilize the holiday weekend to prepare for another fast-approaching road contest, as the squad will head back to the Hoosier state on Tuesday (Sept. 7) to face Purdue.  Kickoff is set 4:30 pm (CST/CDT) in West Lafayette, Ind.

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