Columbia Women Gain First Ivy Victory over Yale 28-22

On a beautiful, warm autumn afternoon, the Columbia women's rugby team hosted Yale, and, led by fullback Isadora Cerullo's three tries and four conversions, earned their first League victory 28-22 to conclude play for the women in their inaugural Ivy Rugby Conference season. Columbia had leads of  9 points (twice) and 11 points; but Yale closed within a single score each time, matching try for try, though they ultimately were never able to regain the lead.

1st Half

Yale scored first in just the second minute on turnover ball from midfield, conversion missed, 0-5 Yale.

In the 24th minute, Cerullo completed an 80-meter sideline break to touch down center posts. Her conversion was good to give Columbia a 7-5 lead. Another long movement from midfield by the Columbia backline at 36 minutes ended with outside center Bianca Rahill-Marier dotting down left of posts, Cerullo did not miss, and it was 14-5 CUWRFC.

But, with time expired, Yale answered back off of penalty ball inside the ten with a converted try on the right post, 14-12 Columbia.

2nd Half

Columbia quickly pressured the Yale defense after the turnaround, scoring at 50 minutes on ball spun wide through hands with Cerullo filling from fullback and turning the corner at the flag to dot down 10 meters from touch for her second try. Her foot was accurate again from the tough angle, 21-12 CUWRFC.

But again Yale responded promptly, just three minutes later through several phases, to draw to within 21-17 CUWRFC when their conversion attempt went wide. But with both sides regularly making threatening line breaks, it was Columbia who struck next, as they traded tries the entire match. When Columbia first phase ball from a set scrum at the Yale 30 was spilled behind the midfielders, a filling Cerullo gathered it at pace and burst through to score center posts for her third try and Columbia's fourth at 63 minutes. Her kick gave her a 21-point haul for the match and gave Columbia a 28-17 lead and the bonus point.

It took Yale just two minutes to answer, as they ran through multiple phases inside the host's 22, before scoring in the right corner from a 2-meter ruck. The extras were missed and Columbia led 28-22 with 15 minutes left. Yale frantically worked the ball back down inside Columbia's 10 as time ran down; and had several penalty taps and sets from the five in the final four minutes. But solid Columbia goal line tackling and rucking held the line in an exciting and closely contested match; and Yale had to settle for a pair of bonus table points for their four tries and the close loss, as Cerullo's perfect kicking effort proved to be the difference.

Columbia: 4T, 4C.
Yale: 4T, C.