Boxscore (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women's rugby stormed past visiting Illinois State for a pair of Rugby 7s wins of 46-0 and 48-0 on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

Earning a two-games to nothing win in the Rugby 7s format (two seven-minute halves), the Panthers improve to 2-6 on the season as EIU finishes up the fall portion of the schedule.

With the game delayed for over an hour due to a severe thunderstorm, nine different Panthers would earn at least one try in the two game rout.  Freshman Miranda Hankins led the way with four scores, while junior Carissa Burge and sophomore Jasmine Gardner chipped in three and two trys of their own, respectively.

Sophomore Hannah Vieth dished out a game-high four assists, while adding a try and a two-point conversion.  Burge booted six of her 14 two-point attempts to finish with a high of 27 total points.

In game one, the Panthers jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead, with four different players scoring and Burge delivering two conversions despite a steady wind.  Following the five-minute break, EIU would tack on four additional scores and one conversion for the 46-0 shutout.

After a 20-minute halftime, Eastern picked up their offense yet again in the second game, with four scores in each half and Burge going 2-for-6 in conversions, while Vieth added her own two-pointer.  The Panthers would finish off ISU with the 48-0 rout.

Defensively, EIU needed just 16 total solo tackles and a pair of assisted stops with Burge leading the way with three tackles and one of three steals-at-tackle earned by the Panthers in the win.

With the fall season officially ending, EIU hopes to add some additional action during the spring slate.  Unfortunately, the Panthers currently sport the lone losing record in program history.

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