FAIRFIELD, Conn.— For the first time in program history, the Sacred Heart University women's rugby team has defeated Quinnipiac in 15s play. The Pioneers took down the Bobcats 43-33 on Saturday afternoon in National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) on Senior Day. With the win, SHU improves to 3-3-1, and QU drops to 4-3-2. 

Alyssa Cunningham led the way for the Pios with a pair of tries, conversions, and one penalty kick. Reece Woods scored twice for SHU, and Caitlyn Caldon added a try with three conversions. Marley Gurmendi scored her first career try for Sacred Heart to round out the scorers for the Pioneers. 

Woods got the Pioneers ahead early, scoring her first try of the day less than 10 minutes into the game. Cunningham secured the conversion to put SHU ahead 7-0. Cunningham extended the Pioneers' lead with a huge run, almost the whole length of the field, and Caldon made the conversion to jump ahead 14-0.

Midway through the opening half, The Bobcats got on the board, scoring a try and had a good conversion to cut their deficit in half, 14-7. 

Woods answered with her second try of the day, and Caldon had another good conversion to put SHU ahead 21-7. Quinnipiac scored again, but the Pioneers had the 21-12 lead at the half. 

The Bobcats scored 10 minutes into the second half, adding seven points to pull themselves within two, 21-19. Caldon answered with her try to push SHU ahead 26-19, but just a few minutes later, Quinnipiac was able to tie things up 26-26. 

Gurmendi broke the tie for the Pios, and Cunningham made the conversion to take a 33-26 lead. With a penalty kick, Cunningham added three more for SHU. She then had another huge run to score her final try of the day, and Caldon had a good conversion to go ahead 43-26. Quinnipiac scored as time expired, but Sacred Heart put themselves in a good position and held the 43-33 final.

Before the game, Sacred Heart honored its seniors, Cunningham, Haven Hawkins, and graduate student Sarah Gray.