HAMDEN, Conn. – The Harvard Rugby team started the 2023 season with a big win at Quinnipiac, as the Crimson defeated the Bobcats 55-14 after a shutout first half and 80 minutes of dominant play.
The Crimson had control of the ball from the first scrum, pushing play toward their try zone the entire game.
Reese Morgan scored the first try of the game six minutes in, followed by a conversion from
Chloe Headland. Shortly after,
Tiahna Padilla scored the first of what would become two try's on the night. Headland,
Lennox London and
Cameron Fields crossed the line in the first half to put up tries as well, each followed by a conversion from Headland to make the score at the half 35-0, as the Crimson completely shut out the Bobcats for the first 40 minutes.
After the half, Fields and Padilla each scored their second try to add ten points to the Crimson's score. Fields took control of the ball yet again and ran for a long try that was followed by a conversion from Headland. The Crimson's final three points were scored from a penalty kick by Headland. Quinnipiac did manage to put 14 points on the board in the final ten minutes of play, bringing the final score to 55-14.
Harvard Highlights
• Fields led the team in tries, scoring three throughout the game. She was followed by Padilla, who made it to the try zone twice.
• Headland scored the most points for the Crimson over the Bobcats, putting 20 on the board as a combination of a try, six conversions and a penalty kick.
• The Crimson now lead Quinnipiac 8-1 in the all-time series, still only ever allowing the Bobcats to come out on top in their first matchup ever.
• Harvard added to their score and kept the Bobcats out of the try zone more this year than the 2022 season, when the Crimson won by 48-19.
Up Next
The Crimson will play at home for the first time on Friday, Sept. 8 when they play host to American International. The game will take place at 7 p.m. on Mignone Field and stream on ESPN+.
