Women’s Rugby Defeats James Madison in Home Opener

West Chester, Pa. – West Chester's Lili Riley (Landisville, Pa. / Hempfield) and Aalea Ray (Landisville, Pa. / Hempfield) accounted for 51 points this afternoon as the Golden Rams defeated James Madison University, 82-17, in their first home game of the season.

Two minutes into the match, West Chester's Ray raced down the far sideline from 25 meters out to put the Golden Rams ahead. Riley added the conversion to make it 7-0.

James Madison's Sam Gamble was able to capitalize four minutes later, evening the match at seven apiece.

Reily answered for the Golden Rams (2-0) with her first try of the match, in addition to putting the conversion through the uprights to give them the lead.

From that point forward, West Chester took control of the match with 54 unanswered points.

Reily went on to contribute a pair of tries with one coming from 60 meters out.

At the 30 minute mark, senior Adriana Zeiders (Lancaster, Pa. / Hempfield) posted her first try of the season. Ray chipped in another try as well.

Freshman Haley Spangler (Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) recorded her first collegiate try in the 39th minute with the conversion coming from Riley to give the Golden Rams a 49-7 lead at the half.

Spangler tacked on her second try of the match to begin the second half.

Riley finished the afternoon with 29 points, while Ray managed 22 in the match.

James Madison broke the West Chester defense by adding two late tries by sophomore Mia VanderToorn and Dana Briosos.

Zeiders registered her second try of the afternoon, while junior Katie Haertter (West Chester, Pa. / West Chester East) accounted for the last try to finish the match.

The Golden Rams go on the road for their next three matches, beginning with a matchup against Molloy University on Saturday, October 1st at 11 a.m.