The Ravens women’s rugby team improved to 3-0 last Saturday in front of their homecoming crowd as they shut out the Sherbrooke Vert et Or 39-0.
It was a coming of age victory for the team that seems to now be a credible national championship title contender.
Last weekend’s victory was a return to first-week form for a team that faltered playing the Université du Montréal. The defence bent in the second half, allowing the Carabins back into the game and keeping the game close until the closing minutes.
There was no such case this week, with the team holding strong all game despite playing the majority of the game down two players. The Ravens dominated the game up front early and controlled the pace.
This physicality and ball control at the point of attack allowed the Ravens to open up play for second-year winger Maya Addai to score. With space on the edge, Addai and the other backs had plenty of room to run as the team got up 12-0 early.
As time ticked down in the first half, the Ravens’ style changed, but the result was the same as veteran fifth-year player Sarah-Jane Vezina scored as they ended the first half up 19-0.
The second half looked much the same with the Ravens rolling over Sherbrooke despite still being down two players. This was unlike last week, where head coach Pat Thompson thought they suffered from “complacency.”
In front of a crowd full of former teammates, long-time players Ellen Spannagel and Vezina scored late in the second half to seal the win for the Ravens. After the game, Vezina talked about the larger implications of this win for her career.
“It’s a crazy testament to how hard this team has worked and how far this program has come,” Vezina said. “I trust everyone on the field as much as they trust me. It’s insane—I just, I don’t know what to say, I’m so overwhelmed . . . I’ve been here for five years—to see how far this team has come. It’s crazy to me.”
With a 3-0 record and not a single point given up at home, the women’s rugby program is ranked top 10 nationally.
Over the next two weekends, the Ravens will play against last year’s U Sports national championship finalist, Université Laval, as well as the University of Ottawa. After the statement win, Spannagel says the Ravens are ready to take on the challenge of facing their hometown rival.
“UOttawa had 17 points scored against them when they played [Sherbrooke]. We had zero points scored against.” Spannagel said. “We are going to be looking to compete—we are going to be looking to win.”
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