WOMEN'S RUGBY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - On another beautiful fall day for rugby, the Norwich women (8-0-0, 3-0-0 NERFU) were victorious over former Division I side Williams College (4-2-0, 2-1-0 NERFU).  In a game dominated by speed and finesse, the "Wick" forwards managed to create good ball and move it to the backs for scoring. As a friendly, cooling rain began to fall, the 80 minute match ended in favor of Norwich, 60-7.

Senior fullback Sybil Taunton (Brentwood, Calif.) and junior wing Ashley de Grasse (Colchester, Vt.) each ran for three tries around the corners of the Williams' defense. Junior center Ashley Lally (Sparta, N.J.) and sophomore wing Clarissa Wynn (New London, Conn.) added similar tries around the flanks, while senior #8 Berline Marcelin (Miami, Fla.) and junior center Kelly Sullivan (Abbington, Mass.) scored on crashes through the middle.

Wynn added five conversions on nine attempts to seal the 60-7 victory.

"We had a great time playing Williams," said NU head coach Austin Hall.  "They were fun to play against and were committed to excellence. This was evidenced in their well-earned try late in the match.  We look forward to a new rivalry and hope they fare well as the playoffs near.

"I'm most impressed with the improved kicking game of Clarissa Wynn.  She stepped up and offered to take on conversion kicking, spent the week honing her skills, and provided us with the best kicking performance we've had all season. She proved that putting in the extra work at practice pays off, and I'm really proud of how she took the team to the next level."

The Norwich second XV dropped its match to an experienced Williams side, 38-0.  The second XV moves to 2-1 on the season.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Norwich women travel to Burlington, Vt., to face long-time rival UVM (6-1-0, 3-0 NERFU). The winner of the match should earn first place in the Western Conference and the No. 2 seed in the New England playoffs. Kickoff time is slated for 11 a.m.