December 2, 2023
Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford, CA
 

Stanford 111 - Chico State 5 

Stanford Women's Rugby kicked off the Pacific Mountain West Conference with an emphatic win over Chico State at home on the Steuber Rugby Field. The recent league restructure has resulted in playing games in the fall quarter unlike previous years. With five players studying abroad and another five returners missing due to class conflicts or injury, the match proved a perfect opportunity for rookies to step up and gain much needed experience. In total, ten players got their first taste of a league match and rose to the challenge. 

After a shaky first few minutes as Stanford knocked the ball on three times, they settled their nerves with a well-worked try. Following an interception and line break by freshman flanker Kirsten Lees, some slick handling put Brianna Gamble away on the edge and from 30 meters out there was no catching the speedster. The Cardinal continued to exert pressure and through the trusty boot of outhalf Laura Bocek played ample minutes deep in the Chico half. The territory and pressure paid off as wing Journey Washingtonhigh found the try zone for the first try of her hat-trick on the day. Set piece execution was on display as Stanford retained possession in scrums and lineouts and regained possession of the majority of defensive lineouts. At about the 20 minute mark, the floodgates opened. Led by strong forward carries from Lees, fellow freshman second-row Madisyn Cunningham, and veterans Mahie Wilhelm and Kaela Verner, Stanford ran in seven more unanswered tries. Six tries were converted by fullback Sydney Hsu bringing the Halftime score to 57-0.

In the second half, Stanford carried on the first half momentum scoring three quick tries. Chico State, however, got on the scoreboard after 60 minutes. Keeping the ball within their forward pack, they generated strong go forward and marched the Cardinal back over a series of penalties. Once in striking distance, their forwards punched in a try from close range. The 2nd half boasted a predominantly rookie Stanford line-up. The young group gained confidence throughout the match as the team went on to score 5 more tries, including scores from freshman center Jacqui Mclean and Cunningham to punctuate the scoreboard. Rookie sophomore outhalf Esha Gupta added 6 conversions. 

With contributions from eleven players on the scoreboard, the Cardinal showed its depth of roster and multiple attack threats moving into the winter quarter ahead. Special shout outs go to the ten rookies who made their first league appearance: Elena Abarca, Madisyn Cunningham, Kirsten Lees, Jacqui Mclean, Josie Davidson, Mckenzie Quinn, Esha Gupta, Eva Lieberman, Kitan Lanre-Phillips and Saniya Mahate. 

The Cardinal will return to the Farm the first week of January for winter camp in preparation for their next league match against UC Davis on January 13, 2024 at UC Davis.

Tries: Laura Bocek (4), Journey Washingtonhigh (3), Mahie Wilhelm (3), Emma Cruz (2), Kirsten Lees, Kaela Verner, Brianna Gamble, Jacqui McLean, Madisyn Cunningham
Conversions: Sydney Hsu (7), Esha Gupta (6)