WOMEN'S RUGBY

BRUNSWICK, Maine - As tropical storm Noel approached the Maine coastline, the women's rugby team earned a trip to the New England Championship with a 40-5 victory over No. 3 seed Williams College.    

Junior wing Ashley de Grasse broke free for three tries and junior center Ashley Lally added two of her own. Senior prop Coral Lore, who played inside center in the second half, also scored for the Wick. Sophomore wing Clarissa Wynn converted on 4 of 5 attempts and senior flyhalf Cassie Thompson converted 1 of 1.  

"Williams is much improved since our last meeting," said NU head coach Austin Hall. "The scoreboard doesn't speak to the match, as Williams was with us throughout. Their players and coaches are awesome and we have really enjoyed our two meetings this season.  

"We took some knocks today, but we are a team of 30 and we will battle it out again tomorrow. Many players stepped up today and many more will step up tomorrow."   

With the victory, the Cadets (12-0) will face UNH (7-0) in the New England Championship match at 1 p.m. The winner will win the No. 1 seed in the Northeast tournament and the loser will most likely have the No. 2 seed next weekend.