Wheeling Women's Rugby rises to No. 2 in NCR's Top 20 Coaches poll

Wheeling, W.Va. – The Wheeling University women's rugby team (5-0) has taken National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) by storm in its inaugural 15s season. They won each of their first five games of the season and scored more than 30 points in each of those games. Their success continues to help them climb the rankings, as they were ranked No. 2 nationally in this week's NCR Top 20 Coaches Poll.

Wheeling is coming off its second shutout of the season after defeating Ohio University 74-0 on Sunday. It was the team's second shutout of the season and the Cardinals were able to use several of their reserves in the game. Wheeling started many of those reserves in their first career starts and put up 24 points in the first half of the game. After the Cardinals led 24-0 at halftime, the team switched to its starters in the second half and really got going. They would score 50 points in the final 40 minutes of play, with two players scoring two tries apiece in the second half. It was the Cardinals' second-highest offensive output of the season as they defeated the Bobcats 74-0 to end a four-game home stretch.

In their first five games of the year, the Cardinals were led by kicker Bella Gullatta. Gullatta led the Cardinals in scoring in every game this season, posting a 12-point margin against the Bobcats. She has scored at least 10 points in every game so far this season and has surpassed the 20-point mark three times. The Cardinals' leading try scorer was Tamzin Boycewho is the only Cardinals player to score multiple tries in two different games. She achieved the feat for the second time as a Cardinal against Ohio University, scoring a total of 10 points and scoring both attempts in the final 40 minutes of play. The Cardinals have been spreading the ball around all season and are being rewarded for their hard work.

The team just ahead of Wheeling in this week's poll is Michigan, which has a similar undefeated record as the Cardinals. Wheeling is ranked No. 2 at 5-0 this season, while Northern Iowa is ranked No. 3.

The Wheeling University women's rugby team returns to action on Saturday, October 5, when it takes on Pitt at noon.