The Stingers get their redemption after Sept. 14 defeat.
The Concordia Stingers women’s rugby team defeated the Université de Montréal Carabins on Wednesday, Sept. 18 by a score of 22-15.
The match kicked off at 7 p.m. at the Concordia Stingers Field. The Stingers’ intensity was present from the start, with the offence quickly gaining ground but failing to reach the goal area.
Despite this, the Stingers had the upper hand in the scrums during the first half. After a missed drop goal by back Olivia Miller, the Carabins gained some ground.
However, the Stingers quickly regained the advantage after winning a scrum, and this time they made use of it. They used swift passing to carry the ball all the way to the goal area, capped off by a try from back row Eadaoin Mabel Murtagh. After 28 minutes, the Stingers led by a score of 5-0.
Just minutes later, the Stingers maintained their momentum as hooker Hannah Booler scored a second try for the Stingers, opening up a 10-0 lead.
The Carabins, however, came back with a try of their own. Another 5 points and a missed conversion by the visitors closed out the first half with a 10-5 score in favour of the Stingers.
After an intense first half, the game resumed with the same frantic pace. The Stingers came back strong with a 5-point try scored by back Sarah Scott, after several substitutions by both teams. The Stringers missed the conversion, but the home team extended their lead.
The Carabins regained ground, intercepting a pass from the Stingers. A try, a conversion, and then a drop goal paved the way for a second half rally by the Carabins, tying the game 15-15.
Regardless of this comeback, the Stingers did not back down and regained their momentum even more than at the start of the match. They were rewarded with a try scored by prop Steve Kalaydjian, followed by a successful conversion, bringing the advantage back to the home team. The game ended 22-15 for the Stingers after a tight contest.
Undeterred by the victory, the Carabins’ comeback left a bitter taste for the host team.
“I don’t think we played up to the standard we set for ourselves this year,” said Stingers head coach Craig Beemer. He pointed out the many turnovers and the aggressive play from the opposing team.
“Against the Carabins, it’s always a big game, always very physical,” said third-year forward Nicole Amaral. “We weren’t consistent, but we’re working, we’re learning. It’s our fourth game!”
Captain and prop Fallon Coulouris had mixed feelings despite a tough match.
“Today was really a win-and-learn situation,” she said. She mentioned the tight schedule: “It’s different playing on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday. Almost all of us came straight from class or work.”
However, she said that the team did not give up after being tied 15-15. “I turned to everyone and said: ‘we have to score, we have to.’ And we scored within the 10 minutes after that.”
The Stingers now head into a ten-day break with a record of three wins and one loss. They will be back on the field on Sept. 28 when they face the Université Laval Rouge et Or on the road. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m
