The University of Mary Washington women's rugby team travelled to Newport News, Virginia on Saturday, September 26th, 2026 against Christopher Newport University. Debuts during this match included freshman Alyx McMurdy who played strong defensively in the second half. 

In the beginning of the first half, possession remained with the Eagles the majority of the time. The first score of the game was distributed through the back line and touched down by senior wing Josie Johnson around the 6th minute of the match. Johnson's try was converted by senior fullback Ava Ward. 

Christopher Newport demonstrated strong defensive pressure against the Eagles. Around the 16th minute, CNU had possession and kicked it out their territory which landed at the touch line. From this, a lineout to UMW allowed the Eagles to gain possession back. When the lineout ended, the backs moved the ball to Ava Ward, who inserted and ran in 30 meters out for a try under the goal posts. Ward converted her own try.  

About six minutes later, UMW's CJ Jenkins returned a kick from CNU, avoiding defenders for a try 22 meters out on the outside. CJ's try was not converted. 
Christopher Newport stepped up their attack. The Eagles' defense let up. A penalty advantage was given to CNU at the original location of the penalty, calling UMW for coming in from the side of a ruck. CNU's #4 ran in 15 meters out to score from the penalty. Their try was not converted. 

CNU continued to advance strongly after their first score. However, in their territory, the Eagles were able to drive CNU's winger out of the touch line which provided a lineout to the Eagles. After a few phases, UMW was able to distribute the ball to #11 Margrethe Brooks for a score on the outside. Brooks' try was converted by Ava Ward. Within two minutes after Brooks' score, CNU knocked the ball on at halftime. The halftime score had the Eagles in the lead, 26 – 0 CNU. 

The first ten minutes of the second half toggled possession between the Captains and UMW. Another lineout for the Eagles gave them the opportunity to touch down again, this time by junior captain and flyhalf, Greta Giese. With other back line positions wrapped up in tackles and breakdowns, Giese looped to the outside, and junior #13 Haley Smith offloaded the ball to Giese for a try 15 minutes out. Greta's try was not converted. 

CNU put up a fight in the fifteen minutes that followed with possession alternating between both teams. Another lineout to UMW and quick passes from the back line allowed the Eagles to dish the ball to Brooks again from 40 meters out on the wing for another try. Ward converted Brooks' second try of the match.  

Six minutes before the end of the match, a strong run inside by wing Josie Johnson gained meters for the Eagles. UMW's forwards took the ball into contact and set up breakdowns. The final formation within the forward phases had junior Sofia Marshall leading the charge, touching down for her first try with UMW Women's Rugby. Marshall's try was not converted. 

In the final minutes of the match, possession swapped between both teams. A CNU knock-on called the final whistle of the match. Mary Washington Women's Rugby came out with their third consecutive victory of the season, leading 43 to 5 against Christopher Newport. UMW will kick off for their first and only regular season home game of the season against William & Mary next Saturday, October 3rd. Come out to the Battleground Pitch next Saturday for a competitive match of rugby!