The University of Mary Washington women's rugby team competed against George Washington University in D.C. on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 for their second 15s match of the fall season. 

The Eagles kicked off to George Washington (GW) at the start of the game. Possession remained with GW during the initial minutes of the match. Around minute five, a scrum to UMW allowed the Eagles to gain possession back. #8 and junior Lexi Krug took the ball from the back of the scrum and ran to the outside for a try seven meters out. Krug's score was converted by senior fullback Ava Ward. 

Possession remained primarily with UMW in the minutes that followed. Around the 20th minute mark, the Eagles set up an attacking lineout. The forwards attempted a maul from the lineout five meters from UMW's try zone; however, the maul was slowing moving. From the maul, the ball was distributed to the back line where Ward inserted from the fullback position and cut to the middle of the goal posts for a try. Ward converted her own try. 
About eight minutes later, a scrum was awarded to Mary Wash. The ball went down the back line to junior and outside center, Haley Smith, who scored five meters out (try converted by Ava Ward). 

The momentum continued five minutes before half as the ball was distributed quickly throughout the back line. Junior wing Jo Lent took the ball back inside. Attacking forwards created phases for a try touched down by junior hooker Lena Hansen (not converted). At halftime, the score was UMW 26 – 0 GW.  

George Washington came out strong at the start of the second half. The Eagles missed crucial tackles. George Washington's outside center scored two consecutive tries back-to-back. These two tries were converted.  

Under the goal posts, the Eagles discussed and regrouped. About three minutes after GW's second try, a lineout to UMW allowed the backs to dish the ball out to junior wing Margrethe Brooks, who ran the ball from the outside to the center of the goal posts 25 meters out. Brooks' try was converted by Ward. 

Soon after, a poached ball by senior Sage Meyer allowed the Eagles to continue their attack. After a couple phases, the ball was passed to captain and junior flyhalf Greta Giese running in for a try 30 meters out (converted by Ava Ward). 

Possession toggled back and forth between both the Eagles and George Washington. UMW put pressure on George Washington's attack. Around the 72nd minute, positive attacking momentum from the forwards gave junior Addison Rybka the opportunity to touch the ball down less than a meter out from the try zone (converted by Ava Ward). 

The final try of the match was scored by Lexi Krug, which was her second try of the day. About seven meters out, Krug set up a forward pod to crash the ball into the goal line. This final try was converted by Ward as well. 

The Battle of the Washingtons ended up in a victory for Mary Washington Women's Rugby, 54 – 14 George Washington. Debuts for the team included Anna (Sofia) Marshall as a forward and Tatum Wood at the wing. UMW Women's Rugby heads south to Christopher Newport University on Saturday, September 26th, 2026. Kickoff begins at 1:00 PM at CNU's Jennings Family Stadium: Moores Ln N, Newport News, VA 23606.