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Philadelphia, Pa. - Bryn Mawr-Haverford Horned Toads rugby team made it four in a row with an important league win over Drexel, 40-0.
This match was a test for the Toads after a sloppy win last week against St. Joseph's. The Drexel Dragons are one of the top teams in the league, but the Toads had their "A" game ready.
The Toads came out in full force right from the start setting the tone for what would be a very physical match. The forwards lead by props Jill Walker and Abbie Higgins and lock, Dawne Ballard and Amy Scott immediately took control of the rucks and mauls that gave the backs clean balls all day.
The first score was an example of the strength of the Toads when they play as a team. After a Drexel scrum where their number eight attempted to go weak side, she was met by a great tackle by Scott . The Toads were flying to the ball beating Drexel there and driving right through the Dragons enabling scrumhalf Micaela Dybbro to make a clean pass to flyhalf Diana Ekman . Eckamn then passed to inside center Ellen Ginda as she went into contact and positioned herself perfectly for outside center Kendra Smythe to execute a beautiful rip. Smythe rolled and set up wing Natalie Armentrout with a perfect pass. Armentrout caught the ball on the fly utilized a very effective straight arm on the Drexel fullback and raced 48 yards to put the Toads on the board.
The Toads were just getting started. They managed two more scores after that in the first half that were almost identical. They controlled the rucks and mauls enabling the backs to get clean balls. The backs would take that clean ball and execute perfectly down the line setting up the wing. In the first half Armentrout had 3 tries, Smythe and Ekman both made conversion kicks and the Toads had a19-0 halftime lead.
The second half started with Drexel showing their resolve by coming out strong trying to establish any type of an attack, but the Toads were ready. Every attempt at an attack by the Dragons, someone stepped up to make a key play whether it was Anne Bugnaski in her first start at flanker, who had a key tackle to stop a weak side attack that lead to the Toads gaining possession or hooker Lisa Grandner in support made a perfect set up pass to Armentrout that lead to a try.
The play that finally took the wind out of the Dragons was off a Toad scrum. Ginda took a pass from Dybbro and was determined to score. As she came into contact her teammates were there in support to drive and push the Dragons over the try line that allowed Ginda to touch the ball down for a try. Ekman made the conversion kick and the Toads were ahead 26-0.
The next five minutes was all Toads as they decided to take over the match. Every ruck and maul was now controlled by the Toads and this lead to 2 more scores for Armentrout. She ended with 5 tries. This was the second time this season that she had 5 tries. Conversion kicks by Smythe and Ekman were made and the Toads were ahead 40-0. Overall it was a great team effort. Every player on the pitch contributed at some point in the match. This is when the Toads are at their best. The win keeps the Toads in first place and undefeated at 4-0.
In the "B" match the Horned Toads' rookies continue to show great improvement and just dominated Drexel winning 5-0 on a try by scrumhalf Erin Doppleheuer .
The Toads improve to 4-0 on the season and will travel to rival Swarthmore Saturday, October 13, for what will be another great match. Game time is set for 11:00 a.m.
***Release courtesy of head coach Ron Ziegler***
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