Friday, October 3
Fairfield, Conn.
7:00 PM
Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics
17
vs
40
Army
Photo by: Alejandro Lizano
Women’s Rugby Bested by Army on Senior Night
10/3/2025 10:28:00 PM | Women's Rugby
Pios recognized eight players prematch
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's rugby team celebrated Senior Night on Friday evening, suffering a 40-17 loss to a tough Army program at Park Ave Field.
The Black Knights held control of the match early on, leading 14-0 after 20:20 after two trys and two successful conversions. In that stretch, a red card issued to a SHU player at 15:30, further put the Pioneers behind the eight-ball, as they played the rest of the game a woman down.
Despite the adversity, the Pioneers continued to fight. Maria-Jean Paulino used her speed to break free across the left side of the try line for SHU's first points, cutting the lead to 14-5 at 29:30.
Neither team scored by the end of the first half, as the Black Knights clung to a 14-5 advantage.
Coming out of the break, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first with a thrilling try from Carrie Coyer-Westerberg at 43:37. Viola Koning started the play with a beautiful kick up the field, when a SHU bounce found a Coyer-Westerberg on the right side of the field that allowed her to soar to the try. After back-to-back Sacred Heart trys, the Pios trailed by just four, 14-10, in the second half.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, battling down a player for so long caught up to them, as Army scored the next 26 points. A Black Knights' conversion at 78:31 gave the visitors an insurmountable 40-10 lead.
However, SHU did not give up, scoring a try in extra time. Reese Torticill capped the play with a conversion to set the final score at 40-17.
The Pios hit the road for their next match on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they play at Harvard at 2 p.m.
The Black Knights held control of the match early on, leading 14-0 after 20:20 after two trys and two successful conversions. In that stretch, a red card issued to a SHU player at 15:30, further put the Pioneers behind the eight-ball, as they played the rest of the game a woman down.
Despite the adversity, the Pioneers continued to fight. Maria-Jean Paulino used her speed to break free across the left side of the try line for SHU's first points, cutting the lead to 14-5 at 29:30.
Neither team scored by the end of the first half, as the Black Knights clung to a 14-5 advantage.
Coming out of the break, the Pioneers got on the scoreboard first with a thrilling try from Carrie Coyer-Westerberg at 43:37. Viola Koning started the play with a beautiful kick up the field, when a SHU bounce found a Coyer-Westerberg on the right side of the field that allowed her to soar to the try. After back-to-back Sacred Heart trys, the Pios trailed by just four, 14-10, in the second half.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, battling down a player for so long caught up to them, as Army scored the next 26 points. A Black Knights' conversion at 78:31 gave the visitors an insurmountable 40-10 lead.
However, SHU did not give up, scoring a try in extra time. Reese Torticill capped the play with a conversion to set the final score at 40-17.
The Pios hit the road for their next match on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they play at Harvard at 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Flanker/Wing
/ Women's Rugby
Fly Half/Wing/FB
/ Women's Rugby
Wing
/ Women's Rugby
Center/Wing
/ Women's RugbyCountdown to Kick-Off with Women's Rugby
Thursday, September 19
Saige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
Behind the Boards (WIH): Season 2, Episode 14
Friday, February 23
