The McKendree University women's rugby team went 2-1 in today's inaugural matches against the Cyclones of Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa.

The Bearcats took game one against the Cyclones by a final score of 7-5. Phoebe McCutcheon recorded the first try in program history in the fourth minute and Madison Puffalt recorded the conversion to put the Bearcats on top. They would surrender a try to the Cyclones in the second half but hang on to record the programs first win.

Game two would feature the Bearcats facing off against the University of Northern Iowa. The Bearcats would strike first in the third minute when Puffalt would record a try but fail to covert. UNI would respond with a try of their own but Koran Mason-El would add a try and Puffalt would covert to put the Bearcats up 12-5 headed into halftime.

After the break, UNI would record a try but fail to convert to cut the lead to 12-10. McKendree and UNI would trade tries until Koran would seal the game with a long breakaway with the final score being 22-15.

Game three would see the Bearcats fall 15-5 with the only try coming from Koran in the second minute.

"We overachieved and surprised ourselves in every facet of the game today." Said head coach Joe Lippert, "To get two wins against such quality teams in our very first competition was immensely gratifying. I'm so proud of the effort and execution from our ladies. It was a great start for McKendree Women's Rugby"