Nisaiah Berkeley and her Wheeling University women's rugby teammates have started their season in emphatic fashion, delivering a commanding 87-0 victory over Penn State to begin their defence of the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 15's National Title.
Having received their championship rings before the match, the team proved they were ready to carry the momentum of their inaugural season. On a road trip to State College, Pennsylvania, Wheeling's offence showed no signs of slowing down, while their defence was as formidable as ever, recording a season-opening shutout.
The dominant offensive performance was spearheaded by Bella Gullatta, who set a new career-high with a remarkable 37 points. She scored two tries, added three penalty kicks, and was successful on nine of her twelve conversions.
She was well-supported by her teammates, with Emerson Callegari and Shannon Wypij both scoring three tries each for 15 points apiece. Tamzin Boyce also added two tries, while Alexis Dallas and Nei Nei Taupule rounded out the scoring with five points each.
The win sets a high standard as the Cardinals begin their new campaign with a clear message: the target on their backs is well-deserved.
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