Stanford 7, Penn State 46

For their last game of the season, the Stanford Women Rugby Players took on Penn State to determine who would win this year's number one title in the on-going saga of championship meet-ups. As returning champions, Stanford fell short, and Penn State pushed ahead for a clear win of 46-7.

At the start of the game, both teams tested the waters of play and showed determination and thrust. The halftime score was 12-7, with Jessica Watkins scoring Stanford's only try, accompanied by a conversion from Melissa Smit. However, the second half proved to be trickier, with Stanford receiving three yellow cards. Penn State responded by stepping up their game and executing and scoring off of scrum and back line moves.

With a stronger pack, Penn State dominated the scrum for all but the 8min that their 8-man Kate Daly was yellow-carded. However, even in these 8min, Stanford was not able to put two and five together to rack up necessary points.

The game ended with a stronger Penn State side coming out ahead, but Stanford did not give up for the duration of the game, nor did they have an entirely lackluster appearance on the pitch. The past couple of years have seen an increase in the level of play for the women's rugby game, and Stanford is proud to be part of this on-going trend. The Cardinal women, however, will have to spend the next year repping their back-up title: the Prettiest team in the nation.

Stanford 31, Brown 12

For Stanford, the name of the game was stopping the Brown forward-punching centers from breaking the line. And in most cases they were indeed able to do so, while taking more than a little battery to the arms and shoulders. As the cornrowed foes fought on, Stanford did indeed find the holes in order to lay down a try and more. Stanford's round of four game with Brown proved to be the Cardinal’s last win of the season, as the ladies kept Brown in check with a 31-12 win.

Brown did not let up for a second and kept Stanford on their tip-toes as they continued to punch and buck their way towards the unattainable, but Stanford's nerve endings punched back and fired their way towards a couple of smart trys, one of particular note when Miss Jessica Watkins touched down a chip by Amelia Villines. Always a key player, Melissa Smit also touched down and made several conversions.

While Brown showed a tough pack and indeed scored a try from the base of a scrum, Stanford kept it real by going for the ball at breakdowns. Turnovers resulted.

At the end of the day, the score may not have reflected the true battle seen on the field, but Stanford did not have much time to pause as they turned their eyes towards Penn State.