In an impressive record-setting win, the Carleton Ravens women’s rugby team made history on Sept. 9 as they routed the McGill Martlets 92-0.
The win narrowly beat previous club records for most points scored in a single game and the largest margin of victory, both of which occurred last season, also against the Martlets in a 90-5 win.
The win comes after the Ravens 72-7 victory against Sherbrooke on Sept. 1, where Centre Maya Addai scored seven tries for 35 points, according to RSEQ. Addai also set a program record for most tries in a match.
Despite the massive feats accomplished, Ravens head coach David Luong spoke as if the win was merely routine.
“I think we started off really strong,” Luong said. “It’s a hot day, so it was nice to see them run the ball and execute the plays that we talked about all week.”
Signs of a record-breaking afternoon showed early as the Ravens controlled every aspect of the play, not allowing McGill to mount any form of offence for the majority of the first half. The team’s exceptional speed and ball control allowed them to whisk by the McGill defence for one try after another.
That charge was led by none other than Addai alongside fly half Vanessa Chiapetta, both of whom lit up the scoresheet all afternoon. They put up a whopping 30 points, with four tries and five conversions each.
“Two very strong players,” Luong said of Addai and Chiapetta. “It’s nice to see all the work that [Maya] has done and it’s great to have her leadership back on the field.”
Luong also credited Chiapetta, Carleton Athlete of the year last season, for continuing her trend of strong performances. He made a point of crediting the players for their commitment to the game, deflecting any praise away from himself.
“My role is the same every game, no matter what,” Luong said. “We prepare them throughout the week and then on game day it’s their choice and it’s their decisions, so we’re more the facilitators and organizers.”
If the score of the game was any indication, the Ravens made the right decisions. Addai wants to make sure the team’s collective foot stays on the gas pedal.
“We really want to stay disciplined because it doesn’t matter who we play, we want to make sure that we’re showing our game and we’re not letting up for any team,” Addai said.
As satisfying as the first two games of their season have been, the Ravens feel they are ready for a bigger challenge. Addai and Luong are hoping last year’s third-place finish in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) playoffs will act as a springboard into the final two this year, which would qualify the club for the U Sports Women’s Rugby Championship in Victoria, B.C., this fall.
“The target this year is obviously to place top-two and book our tickets to Victoria for nationals, so we have a good test coming up against Montreal to prepare us for the two heavyweights, Laval and uOttawa,” Luong said.
Laval and uOttawa have historically been fixtures in the upper echelon of RSEQ women’s rugby, as they have accounted for eight of the last 10 league championships. Carleton now seems poised to challenge their rule.
“I’m excited to play those big teams like Laval and uOttawa, especially because they think we’re underdogs and I don’t think that’s going to be the case this year,” Addai said.
The Ravens will be looking to extend their perfect start on Sept. 17 as they host the Montreal Carabins at TAAG Park.
Featured image by Spencer Colby.
