Rebecca Christensen scored three tries, leading the undefeated and top-ranked Marauders to a dominant 40-0 win over Brookline in the MIAA Division 1 Semifinal.
Next up for the Belmont girls rugby team is a Thursday afternoon tilt against Weymouth at Memorial Field in Quincy for the state title. The game begins at 4 p.m.
Christensen opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the June 3 contest, breaking through the Brookline line and setting up Serena Field for an easy conversion to put Belmont into the lead, 7-0.
The match was scoreless for the next 18 minutes, until junior Claire Ferreira burst down the left sideline, breaking three tackles and taking the ball 65 yards to double Belmont’s advantage to 14-0. Shortly thereafter, LeeLee Kozelian added a 55-yard try, putting Belmont firmly in the driver’s seat.
Christensen scored her second try before the half ended, and the Marauders went into the break up 26-0.
The half was not without a downside, however, as senior prop Mari Fram went down with an ankle injury that required her to be stretchered off the field. Her injury adds to Belmont’s already sizable core of injuries, including sophomore prop Emerson Leavitt and Fram’s replacement, junior Timikuh Mukwazhi.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Christensen completed her hat trick with another dominant try. Brookline appeared to be certain to pull one back when senior flanker Adriana Oviedo broke Belmont’s line, but she was cut down by senior fullback Farrah Harris, who made an outstanding open-field tackle and forced a turnover.
The Marauders, prompted by a shoulder injury to sophomore center Aislinn Reynolds, pulled the majority of their starters around the 55th minute. Kozelian later scored her second try of the game, and the Marauders held on to win comfortably, 40-0.
“These girls have been putting the work in,” coach Kate McCabe said after the game. “We’ve been struggling with injuries, but every person on this sideline is ready to step up.”
The Marauders will be forced to adjust to their injuries for the upcoming championship match. But McCabe and her girls are confident in their abilities.
“We’re a good team, and we’re well prepared for the final,” said McCabe. “I’m excited to see what these girls can do.”
