By dominating the University of Maryland on Saturday, the Kent State Women’s Rugby Club demonstrated why they deserve to be in the Division I fall playoffs and the Mason-Dixon Conference next fall.

“We are trying to make a name for ourselves and I think we’re doing a very good job of that,” senior Hannah Henry said. “It’s a good preview for our younger girls who will be on the team next year.”

The Flashes (5-2) went undefeated in conference play this year and 2-0 in games against Mason-Dixon conference opponents. The team beat the University of Pittsburgh 42-19 in week two, and on Saturday they defeated the the University of Maryland 83-0.

After Davenport University shut them out last week, no extra motivation was behind this victory, according to coach Jeff Horton. The team was just trying to play quality rugby he said.

“We try to focus on the aspects of the game we can control,” Horton said. “We can’t change the past and we don’t know what the future holds. It’s definitely good to know we can compete at a high level in our new conference.”

Horton said the Maryland Terrapins were down some of their starters due to injuries, which forced them to play some inexperienced women.

The Flashes now prepare for the playoffs. 

Kyle Samec is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].