Syracuse, NY — The Aquinas women's rugby team showed grit and determination in their match-up against Bonaventure, falling 47–28 after a resilient second-half rally.
Bonaventure took advantage of a short-numbered Aquinas side in the opening half, building a 40–0 lead by halftime. Despite the early adversity, the Saints refused to fold. Once the game leveled out to 13-on-13, Aquinas stormed back with 28 points while holding Bonaventure to just one try the rest of the way.
Lillian Stough was perfect on conversions, knocking through every attempt. Ayiana Pansang-Rangel rallied the team with a breakaway try, sprinting nearly three-quarters of the field after stepping past a defender deep in AQ's territory. In the pack, the Saints never lost a scrum despite their numbers, with strong front-row play from Taniya West, Taryn MacMillan, and Saige Baldwin. Abby Wegener and Riley Vertz anchored the defense with relentless support, while Jeanette Aldana delivered some of the team's biggest tackles and breakdown work.
Head Coach Dani Harris praised her team's resilience after the contest:
"What means the most to me is that none of the girls ever gave up. Even when it was tough, even when they were still figuring it out, they kept the fight alive. That heart is what makes this team special."
Players of the Match
Up Next
Homecoming week takes the AQ women's rugby team to Rolla, Mo., on Friday, Sept. 19, where they'll face Southern Nazarene University. Fans can follow along with live stats, stories, and recaps at
AQSaints.com
