PRINCETON, N.J. — The LIU women's rugby team completed its fall campaign against NCAA-newcomer Princeton with two wins and a draw on Sunday.
The Sharks, continuing to play a provisional schedule and modified format, defeated the Tigers 14-10 and 24-7 and tied 7-7.
LIU dominated the first half of Game 1. Freshman Sayler Russell opened the scoring when a training-ground-lineout move worked to perfection, giving Russell a free path to the try zone.
Minutes later, Russell ran over a would-be Princeton tackler and finished the break for a second.
Sophia Gaddis converted both tries to give LIU a 14-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Princeton applied pressure on kickoffs to win back possession in LIU territory. Twice, the Tigers converted possession and territory into points. But Princeton's kicker could not dial in the conversions.
The Sharks held a 14-10 lead with a minute remaining. LIU needed to field the kickoff, hold the ball and see it into touch.
After fielding the kick, the Sharks tried to play a bit too much rugby and committed a handling error.
Fortunately, a Princeton penalty relieved the pressure. Captain Gina Pollice put the ball into touch and the Sharks hung on.
LIU ran out a young squad in Game 2 and the freshmen shined.
D'Ondra Bomar opened the match with a quick double. Russell followed with her third try of the day and LIU took a 19-0 lead into halftime.
Princeton challenged the LIU defense in the second period. As was often the case on the day, Tai Sherman had the answer.
Sherman led the team in tackling and initiated several of the Sharks best attacking opportunities.
Pollice added one more score before Princeton sneaked over the line in the final minutes in the 24-7 victory.
With only 11 healthy players to play three matches in two hours, the day was always going to test the Sharks' stamina.
Despite some tired legs, LIU looked poised to strike first again in Game 3.
Russell spotted a gap around the fringes of the breakdown and streaked downfield. Princeton's cover defense arrived to make the tackle, but Bomar was hot in support to receive the offload. Bomar strode toward the line and was stopped meters short by a brave diving effort from a defender. Princeton jackaled and relieved pressure from the best LIU attack of the first half.
In the second half, the fatigue led to lack of discipline. With the penalty count mounting, the Tigers had all the possession and momentum. Finally, Princeton pieced together a series of offloads to take its first lead of the day.
The Sharks struggled to find continuity. But the Sharks fought until the final minute. Senior Esme Heater found space around the fringes of the breakdown and streaked away for her first try of the day.
With time expired, Gaddis converted a high-pressure kick to earn the 7-all draw.
LIU's freshmen were the story of the day.
Bomar and Russell combined for 27 of the team's 45 points. Sherman was a defensive juggernaut, leading all players in tackles.
"This group has come so far in three months," head coach Joseph Rasmus Jr. said. "We want to play fast-paced, exciting rugby. We want to be the most technically proficient team in the NCAA. We want to be the most cohesive and physical defense in the NCAA. And we want to create a culture that prospective Sharks would want to be a part of.
"We have made serious progress toward, or met, all of those goals."
Next up, Rasmus will be on the recruiting trail while the team gets into the weight room.
"The team has a real opportunity to make big strides over the five-month offseason," Rasmus said. "I think our strength and conditioning is the last area we are trailing our top competition. We can make up that gap between now and March.
"Without the weekly motivation of matches, this can in many ways be the toughest stretch of the year. But I know this group is up to the task. I am excited to have everyone healthy and at full strength come the spring."
GAME 1
LIU
Points (14): Russell (10); Gaddis (4).
Tries (2): Russell (2)
Conversions (2 from 2): Gaddis (2 from 2)
Princeton
Points (10)
Tries (2)
Conversions (0 from 2)
GAME 2
LIU
Points (24): Bomar (12); Russell (7); Pollice (5)
Tries (4): Bomar (2); Pollice; Russell
Conversions (2 from 4): Bomar (1 from 2); Russell (1 from 1); Pollice (0 from 1)
Princeton
Points (7)
Tries (1)
Conversions (1 from 1)
GAME 3
LIU
Points (7): Heater (5); Gaddis (2)
Tries (1): Heater
Conversions (1 from 1): Gaddis (1 from 1)
Princeton
Points (7)
Tries (1)
Conversions (1 from 1)
