The University of Mary Washington Women's Rugby team lost their first match of the fall 15s season in a rainy contest against William & Mary on Saturday in Williamsburg, Va., 29-5.

Possession between UMW and William & Mary was back and forth in the first half. A try by UMW was scored as a result of senior flyhalf and captain Nyah Speicher offloading to junior fullback Ava Ward who ran 40 meters for a try on the outside ten minutes before the end of the first half. The conversion kick for Mary Wash was not made, but the Eagles still led at the half, 5-0.

The rain poured down in the second half, resulting in the ball being dropped on various occasions by both sides. The first try by William & Mary was scored off a penalty advantage to them ten minutes into the second half. Their first try was not converted. William & Mary maintained possession and scored again off a series of forward picks and crashes. Their second conversion kick was made. With twenty minutes left, William & Mary continued to keep control of the ball and scored twice more from forward picks and crashes. Their third try was converted, but their fourth try was not. The final try of the match by William & Mary occurred after the ball went out of the tunnel off a UMW scrum, Tribe gained possession, then scored after three phases of forward crashes. William & Mary's final try was not converted. 

UMW scored one try with no conversions while William & Mary scored five tries with two conversions. Despite the loss, the Eagles persevered through difficult conditions and changes to dynamics on the pitch. Senior CJ Jenkins, making numerous tackles as a flanker, had her first cap with UMW Women's Rugby. Freshman Bella Tetrault also made her first appearance at prop.  

The Eagles kick off again at home for Family Weekend on Saturday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m. against the University of Maryland.