Women’s Rugby Blows Past Norwich

Saturday, October 24

West Point, NY

12 PM

Army West Point

Norwich

Women’s Rugby Blows Past Norwich

October 24, 2015 | Women's Rugby

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's rugby team returned to Anderson Rugby Complex in dominant fashion, downing conference rival Norwich by a score of 68-15 on Saturday afternoon to remain perfect in league play.

Plebe Zye Crittington and standout Nicole Heavirland had dominant performances in the win, as six different Black Knights dotted down in the contest. Entering the game following an injury to vice-captain Chioma Odocha, Crittington recorded three tries, while leading scorer Heavirland earned 28 points with two tries and nine conversions.

"This means a lot to the girls, the emotion was really high going in and they overcame a really horrific start," said head coach Bill LeClerc. "We lost Jess Soto in the warmup and then we lost two in rapid succession on the field. We were able to pull together and really turn out a really solid performance. Zye was obviously phenomenal, but we managed to pull it out and get a really good win."

Lindy Clark got the scoring started in the 18th minute as Heavirland booted the kick to put the Black Knights up 7-0.

Norwich would respond just three minutes later but was unsuccessful on the conversion, as Army held on to the 7-5 advantage.

In the 25th minute, captain Mariah Caid-Loos would dive into the try zone for her first of the game, as Heavirland was again successful on the kick, and the Black Knights went up 12-5. Four minutes later, Crittington would score her first of the contest, as Heavirland earned another kick and Army posted a 21-5 advantage.

Heavirland dotted down following a Norwich high tackle on Caid-Loos, permitting the Black Knights a quick restart in the red zone. She converted her own score and Army entered the break with the 28-5 advantage.

Army kept the pressure on in the second half, as Crittington scored in the 44th and 48th minutes, with Heavirland booting both kicks to put Army up 42-5.

Norwich would score in the 51st minute, after being held off of the scoreboard for 30 minutes of play.

Arianna Efaw barreled through the Cadets' defense in the 60th minute to put Army up 47-10.

In the 63rd minute of play, Caid-Loos scored her second of the game, followed by a try from Heavirland in the 67th minute. Heavirland was successful on both kicks to put Army up 61-10.

Plebe Mackenzie Garner, making the start in the No. 9 jersey, recorded a try in the 70th minute to cap off the Army scoring, with Heavirland earning her ninth conversion of the afternoon to put Army up 68-10.

Norwich dotted down in the 75th minute but Army walked away with the 68-15 win.

The victory is the second straight win over the Cadets for Army on the season, as the Black Knights move to 5-3 overall and 5-0 in conference action.

The Black Knights will return to the pitch on Saturday as they close out conference play at Quinnipiac.

"This is a huge confidence boost, but Quinnipiac is not going to be easy," added LeClerc. "We've got to take stock and see where we are as far as numbers and etc., go. But this obviously does our confidence a lot of good, especially after last weekend at Life. We'll move forward and now focus on Quinnipiac."

Kickoff from Quinnipiac is slated for 12 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Visit www.GoArmyWestPoint.com for up-to-date information and follow the Black Knights on Twitter @ArmyWP_WRugby and Instagram @armywpwrugby.