Quinnipiac put up a valiant effort in their final home game of the season, falling to the Sacred Heart Pioneers by a score of 27-12. 

The Bobcats held their Senior Day ceremony honoring Hooker/Flanker Amelia Rizzi, Fullback Gillian Mason, Hooker/Flanker Lucy Lamborn, Lock Kelsey Thomas and Prop Gabrielle Appiah.

“On the level of self-belief and self-confidence that they gain from being part of this program, they all have that same desire to grow as people,” head coach Becky Carlson said. 

Emotions ran high throughout the game as both teams were determined to win, showcasing the deep-seated nature of Connecticut rivalries.

Quinnipiac started the scoring with Lamborn escaping on a big run, while fending off defenders, as she kept herself upright to get into the left side of the try zone 13 minutes into the first half. 

“We fought through the end,” Lamborn said. “It was not the result we wanted, but this team fought through.”

Sacred Heart was able to gather itself and take control of the rest of the half. Freshman wing Maria-Jean Paulino scored the first try for the Pioneers midway through the half, which was then followed up four minutes later with junior center/wing Reese Torticill scoring her first of two tries.

Quinnipiac made some great turnovers with block kicks and aggressive hits that led to additional turnovers. However, they were more common in the early stages of the half, and Sacred Heart was able to find the Bobcats’ weaknesses to break the game open before the half. 

Junior wing/flanker Carrie Coyer-Westerberg scored the third try of the game, putting the Pioneers in front 15-5 at the 28th minute.

“We had some people doing some really powerful, superhero-like stuff, but they were doing it alone,” Carlson said. “So someone gets a break, you have got to be right on their back.”

The Bobcats were able to play a strong defensive zone the rest of the half.

To start the second half, Sacred Heart was aggressive early, as they put enough pressure on for Torticill to break open in the open field to score her second try of the game. She was also able to make the first conversion of the game for both teams.

However, Quinnipiac fought back and was able to stop any big plays from happening, keeping them in the game.

That was when, at the 65th minute, freshman center Rebecca Balladares was able to score the second try of the day for the Bobcats, making the score 22-12. 

The Pioneers avoided the Bobcats’ scoring for the rest of the game, capitalizing on Quinnipiac’s mistakes. 

The Pioneers secured a late score from junior flanker/hooker Julia Arnone, with the final score reading 27-12 in favor of Sacred Heart.

Overall, it was a very emotional game, with it being the final home game for several seniors who dedicated their livelihood to the sport of rugby.

“The sport of rugby teaches you a lot about who you are as a person,” Lamborn said. “It’s a hard game, a hard fight, and it shows how much you are willing to give.”

Quinipiac will travel back to Annapolis on Oct. 25 to face Queens in its final regular-season game. The game is set to start at 11 a.m.