Davenport University is the No. 1 team in Division II women’s rugby, according to the Goff Rugby Report. Underdog Kent State stayed with the Panthers for the majority of the game, but fell victim because of fundamental rugby flaws.

“Our lack of discipline and poor technique in scrums was ultimately the difference in the match,” said head coach Jeff Horton. “We reacted instead of acted and they essentially bullied us down the field.”

During the scrums, the Flashes were unable to get low and generate much push. As a result, when the Panthers took possession of the ball, the Flashes were too late in reaction

“When we were on defense, we (weren’t) aggressive and (didn’t) attack them when the ball was out,” said senior Hannah Henry. “Instead, we waited for them to come to us.”

The Panthers beat the Flashes (4-2) on Saturday morning in shutout fashion, 47-0. The score seems ugly, but in reality, it’s not that bad.

Davenport’s regular season is over. The Panthers shutout four teams, scored over 100 points in two games and finished perfect at 7-0. The Flashes held the Panthers, a team that has only scored fewer than 68 points once before this game to 47 points, to 12 points in the first half, which says a lot about the Flashes.

“Davenport thought they were going to come into our house and walk over us, but we showed them what Kent State rugby is all about,” said junior Michaela Williams. “We were communicating better than ever, and even though they did have size, we were taking them down.

Horton said the match looks good for playoff consideration because of how good the Panthers are.

“We proved a lot to ourselves as a team,” he said.“We left our hearts on that field and kept our heads held high. We walked out of there with the respect we earned from them, which in my book means a lot because Davenport is a great program.”

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