The week off for recover paid off for the CMU women's rugby team as they headed to Greeley Colorado for the High Peaks 7s National Qualifier with an almost healthy squad. Three Mavs made their 7s debut, with Kenya Contreras, Tanner Carroll and Bri Schultz all coming back from injury. Three Mavs saw their first points in 7s as Kenya Contreras, Sage Davis and Bri Schultz all contributed to the team success. In the first matchup against Colorado College (CC), it was CMU out early with a big breakaway run by Kaylee Burns. A Carly Scheck conversion put the Mavs ahead and they wouldn't look back in this one. Both Co-captains got in on the scoring in the first half bringing the Mav led to 19-7 at half. Burns again would start the second half with another try and 4 finishers would get minutes in this matchup. Final score 31-7.
The second match of the day saw the Mavs facing for the first time ever, Southern Utah University (SUU). Rickerd was the first to break through with a shifty run and try 2 minutes in. Bri Schultz would get into the action with a nice run on the outside and Ashley Bollinger would touch down with a break away on the opposite outside! Mavs led this one 21-0 at half with perfect kicks for conversion. SUU would be the first to score in the second half, but CMU answered right back with a kick and chase up the middle by Rickerd. Kenya Contreras banged through the middle for a hard fought try of her own, then responded again 2 minutes later with another pick and go try. Ary Landis would get the conversion on the final try making this one 38-7.
The third match of pool play saw some of the best rugby of the day. The Mavs took on familiar DII foe, New Mexico State University (NMSU). For the first time of the day, the Mavs saw themselves trailing 5-0 just a minute into the competition. It would take nearly 5 minutes for the Mavs to answer back, then they did with vengeance. Burns galloped up a hole in the middle of the field and Rickerd would score again on a quick take away off of the kickoff to bring the Mavs ahead 14-5 into half. Scheck would add to the CMU lead before NMSU answered back. The Mavs gave themselves a big enough lead, that they were able to finish out the matchup, man down still ahead 21-15
The final match of pool play saw the Mavs yet again seeing new competition. For the first time ever, they took on the University of Utah. The Mavs were firing on all cylinders with 6 Mavs scoring in this matchup. The continuity, hard runs, offloads, scrappy play, and feral rucks lead to a big lead for the Mavs. Sage Davis and Kay Simons scored their first trys of the 7s season both with massive breakaway runs! This one was electrifying with all the different CMU lineups getting it done. All finishers saw minutes in this match and the Mavs stormed away with a convincing 45-0 win.
The Championship matchup saw a repeat matchup with NMSU, almost posting the same final score. Yet again, NMSU was the first to score just 30 seconds in on a missed tackle down the gut. It would take the Mavs a minute to bounce back with Bollinger hitting a massive run on the outside beating all the competition. Pairing well with each other, on the opposite wing, Schultz would go for a run next to give the Mavs a 14-7 lead going into halftime. Rickerd would find a gap for the Mavs only points in the second half, and again that was enough to outlast a strong NMSU surge late. Final score 21-17. CMU walked away 5-0 on the day and High Peaks DII 7s Champions, earning themselves an automatic bid to Nationals. Impressively CMU got it done with just 11 ladies and yet again, showed their grit and resiliency.
See this team in action at the Collegiate Rugby Championships in Boyds, Maryland April 26-27th. Selection Saturday, April 19th, will determine who the Mavs play. Live stream on YouTube or get The Rugby Network. Follow on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates @cmuwomensrugby
