The UW Milwaukee Lady Panthers lost their opening Midwest Division 1 League match to Eastern Illinois University 29 – 27 in controversial circumstances on Saturday 26th September.
With nine, yes nine, disallowed tries and a dubious penalty to their opponents in extra time, The Panthers can feel aggrieved that they took nothing away from this game against the No. 7 Nationally Ranked team.
The game started in controversy with the home side being awarded a penalty try after 5 minutes for a dangerous tackle by Panthers full back Mollie Martin and wing Samantha Bruni on EIU’s full back. 7 -0
Despite this setback the Panthers stormed back up the pitch and after crossing the line three times were eventually awarded a try on the 22nd minute with scrum half Houston dotting down, but missing the conversion. 7 – 5.
Unfortunately with The Panthers continuing to press and with their forwards dominating EIU got two breakaway tries to take the score to 19 – 5, completely against the run of play.
The Panthers crossed the line a further four times before they were awarded a second try with second row Maggie Reidy crossing for an unconverted try to bring the half time score to 19 – 10.
EIU stole another interception at the start at the second half to take the score to 26 – 10 but the Panthers hit back and with their pack completely on top crossed the line again with centre Tina Gill and fullback Martin but both tries were ruled out! They were however awarded tries by hooker Theresa Trott and a brace by Houston to give the Panthers a 26 – 27 lead with seconds to go.
In the closing seconds the referee marched the Panthers backwards up the field to finally give a penalty in front of the posts to EIU which they duly slotted to win the match 29 –27.
What they said about the game.
EIU head coach Frank Graziano
“We must have gotten up on the right side of the bed today.We really shouldn’t have won the game today. But we found ourselves in the right place at the right time and took advantage of UWM’s mistakes. They are a fine squad, but sometimes a team ends up winning a game that they weren’t supposed to win, and this was one of them.”
Lady Panther head coach Scot Prunckle
“It’s quite possible this is the best loss we’ve ever had, if that makes any sense. But the loss simply comes down to coaching. I didn’t prepare our girls adequately enough for EIU’s athleticism and ability to find flaws. They’re smart. They won’t let me make the same mistakes again.”
UWM Panthers Mollie Martin
“We definitely should have won the game, being held up in goal close to 9 times.”
UWM Panther Meghan Hausman
“It was a doozey.”
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3 Responses to “Panthers lose league opener.”
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With nine, yes nine, disallowed tries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh! the TMO must have been working flat out!!
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Maybe we should tag on a refereeing course to our Justin Fitzpatrick Rugby Camps next summer.
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Maybe one of our favourite Scottish refs has got there already!! Haven’t heard of Mr.Dickson of late.
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