Womxn’s Rugby defeated by long time rival Northwestern

Loyola’s Womxn’s Rugby team lost 43-24 against Northwestern University in their second to last game of the regular season Oct. 10 in Niles, Ill. 

Across the 80-minute game, Loyola scored four tries and two conversions. Their first try was won in the 25th minute by fourth-year blindside flanker Steph Elmore, assisted by first-year left flanker Izzy Shields-Dincolo. Flankers usually serve as defense in scrums.

The game’s first scrum was initiated by Loyola in the seventh minute, with fourth-year scrum-half Eva Castrejon retrieving the ball.

Shortly after, Loyola regained possession of the ball to score their second try in the 28th minute, initiated by fourth-year loosehead prop Camille Hart. Aiming to score under the posts, Hart made it possible for third-year eight man and captain Isabel Tri to score a conversion. 

In the 33rd minute, Castrejon was able to push through Northwestern’s defensive line and make a run, scoring Loyola’s third try of the game. 

Five minutes later, a member of Northwestern’s team received a yellow card for neglecting to roll out of a tackle. This constituted a penalty for the player, allowing Loyola to take advantage of the weakened team in the two minutes left of the half.

Northwestern was able to score their third try of the game as well as a conversion in the 39th minute, allowing them to break their tie with Loyola’s two tries and single conversion for the end of the first period.

The first half ended with a scrum for Loyola, with Castrejon once again receiving the ball, assisted by fourth-year captain, president and fly-half Kiera Reilly. Time for the half was called shortly after Loyola gained possession of the ball.

The second half of the game had Loyola starting strong, as they were neck-and-neck with Northwestern, only behind by one try. Shortly after the half started, Loyola gained possession of the ball via a quick-tap penalty in the 43rd minute. 

In the 48th minute, Castrejon scored Loyola’s fourth and final try of the game following a breakaway. Once again, her placement made it possible for Tri to make a conversion kick. 

Following their final try, Loyola’s team played heavily on defense during the rest of the half. They dominated their scrums, often allowing players to break through Northwestern’s defensive line.

The final try of the game was scored by Northwestern in the 73rd minute, earning their team a conversion as well. The score amounted to 43-24 for Northwestern.

Reilly was quick to highlight how one loss doesn’t define the team, adding that mindset is everything.

“[There are] some adjustments we need to make on mentality,” Reilly said. “You know, staying up even when we’re facing some harder competition.”

Despite the loss, Loyola Womxn’s Rugby won’t let the game bring down their spirits.

“We all just love playing,” Reilly said.“That’s my favorite part of Loyola Rugby.”

The Womxn’s Rugby team will be playing the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Oct. 17 for their final game of the regular season.