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Written by Alex Goff  - Tuesday, 01 October 2013 19:31 - RugbyMag.com

Keelia Harker charges up the line against UNM.

PROVO, UT: The University of New Mexico women’s team pulled off something of an upset this past weekend when they defeated BYU (Women’s Cougar Rugby) 29-17 in league play.

With BYU being among the top teams in the country for some years, now, even a strong team like the Lobos, which returned 13 starters from last year’s playoff-bound squad, is expected to struggle.

But BYU has had their issues, too. With the Mormon Church changing the age that women are expected to go on mission from 21 to 19, a large group of players aged 19-20 left this year, leaving Head Coach Tom Waqa with only five starters from last season, and very few B-siders to fill the gap.

“We are young,” said Waqa. “We have talent and we will get it together, but it will take time.”

UNM was led by some superb work out wide.

Wing Tonya Aragon scored the first try for New Mexico, and then 6-2 wing Whitney White added three from her side. Inside center Erica Speer added a a long-range run for a try from about midfield, while Emma McCaslin added two conversions.

BYU’s scorers were all their more experienced players, with Meigham Stevens scoring two and Jordan Gray one. Dana Greenwood added the single conversion.

“BYU is still a really good team, and I don’t think they will have much trouble with the other teams they have to play,” said UNM Head Coach Shannon Robinson. “They like to run their bigger players up the middle so we needed to defend that. I thought our No. 8 Kedra Davis had an outstanding game leading the way on defense.”

Cougar Rugby News - Friday, 12 April 2013 19:19

Nicole on the run for BYU at LVI 2013

Nicole on the run for BYU at LVI 2013

Allendale, Mich: The women's college Round of 16 got a day's head start in Allendale, Mich., one of four regional sites hosting the national playoffs. DI's Penn State and Women's Cougar Rugby won their respective matches as the higher seeds, while DII's Winona and Denison advanced to the next round after wins today.

Monica Jackson, Nicole McCullough, Nalia Tafua had stellar performances for BYU.

Penn State and WCR were favored to win their games today, as the Nittany Lions look to defend their title and the Cougars are becoming regular fixtures in the final four. PSU downed West Chester rather easily, 58-5, while Northern Iowa gave WCR a much better game during their 29-7 loss.

Saturday, November 3, 2012 - Cougar Rugby  News

Cougar Women shows up in a ruck against CO - Paige, Nalia & Boaz & Company.

Provo, UT - BYU Women defeats a young Colorado University side Saturday winning by 67 - 12. BYU Women dominated the set pieces and breakdown from the get go, and started piling up points after 10 minutes of play. The Cougars made some unforced errors in the beginning by made up for that later in the game.

Rebekah Siebach, back, from China International 7s tournament last week, was on hand, to give her team a boost. Paige Torgerson (6) and Amber Ah Sue (7)  also had outstanding performances.

Colorado had two consolation tries towards the very end of the game, but the game was already one for BYU.

Final Score: BYU 67 Colorado 12

Jordan Gray delivers ball for BYU against Colorado.

Saturday - Oct 20, 2012 - Cougar Rugby News

Dana Greenwood charges up the line for BYU Cougars against Lady Steelers

Provo, UT - Cougar Women took on the Lady Steelers on Saturday Oct 20, standing in for Air Force who could not travel for military reasons. Led by senior Ellexis Khan, BYU Cougars won 39 - 7.