PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore Calah Turpin along with freshmen Haniyah Baugh and Sara-Grace McCannon each scored tries in the Long Island University women's rugby team's opening match of the 2019 season Saturday afternoon in a contest where the Sharks fell 60-19 to Brown University at Marvel Field.
 
"We opened up against a veteran Brown team who got an early jump to the lead," said head coach Colleen Doherty. "Once we settled into our game we asw many highlights including consistent offensive phase play which we worked all preseason on and countless meters gained out of sheer grit and support. The team fought tooth and nail to the final whistle and for that I'm proud. We have just gotten started and with our continued progress we will move forward confidently for the rest of the season.

Along with Turpin and Baugh's tries, senior Janine Gelles had an accurate afternoon off the kicking tee as converted 2-of-3 conversion attempts.
 
The match also saw junior Natalie Hickman and redshirt sophomore Amanda Arena debut in the sport of rugby; Hickman was previously a member of the women's basketball team at LIU Post and Arena the softball team.
 
Despite Turpin's opening half try and the successful conversion by Gelles, the Bears took a 33-7 lead into halftime.
 
The Sharks showed some offensive firepower in the second half as they ended the match with 19 points after tries by Baugh and McCannon.
 
Up Next
The Sharks will host Sacred Heart University (0-1) in their home opener on Saturday, September 11 at 11 a.m. at Robert Blitz Field.