Boxscore (PDF)

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Playing the second of seven consecutive road games, Eastern Illinois women's rugby dropped a close 25-11 contest at Grand Valley State on Sunday (Sep. 22) morning as the Panthers fall to 0-4 on the season.

Newcomer Hannah Vieth booted a pair of three-point penalty kicks, while freshman Sara Fisher scampered for her first career try to account for the Panther scoring.

Panthers took the early 3-0 lead in the first half off the foot of Vieth, but the home GVSU squad would counter with three consecutive trys, but failed on all conversion attempts, to enjoy the 15-3 halftime lead.

In the second half, Vieth connected on another PK to pull EIU to within 15-6, but a couple more scores by GVSU would follow.

Fisher's score came about with two minutes to go in the contest, but Vieth's conversion attempt would go for naught.  Neither team would earn any conversion points in the contest.

A trio of Panthers led the squad defensively, as senior Angelica Cerceo-Jensen joined newcomers Miranda Hankins and Alivia Smith all secured eight solo tackles in the loss, with Smithers also added a team-high seven assisted stops as well.

Freshman Emalie Thornton registered the lone steal-at-tackle for EIU, while Hankins, freshman Sara Fisher and sophomore Jasmine Gardner each registered a run over 20-yards.

Panthers will look to snap a program-high four-game losing streak, as EIU will have an open week before returning to Grand Rapics, Mich. to face Davenport at 3 p.m. on Saturda, Oct. 5.

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