LONDON, ON – The Mustangs Women's Rugby team played for the first time since late 2019. Going two years between scrums and coming out on top 51-0 is no small accomplishment.
 
After finishing 9^th in the OUA during the 2019 season, this is an impressive win over an opponent who finished in the middle of the pack.
 
Team defence and effective scoring touch from Jordan Orlando, who recorded 7 tries, created headaches for the Varsity Blues on both sides of the ball.
 
Coach Katie Baer said post game that it is "Good, nerve wracking but good" to be back to playing in a competitive atmosphere again.
 
Her game plan going in was "to put all our puzzle pieces together, this has been a long 3 weeks of them working day in and day out and it was our first test to see if these puzzle pieces that we've been putting in place will come together."
 
Each piece seemed to fit as every player played a key role in defending the shutout when U of T found some momentum early in the second half. First left, then right, then back left the Blues just could not find a weak spot among the Mustang defenders.
 
When asked how important their defensive schemes were coach Baer said, "Defense has been a focus for us these past couple of weeks, so it was great to see they didn't have the ball a ton and when they did, we were in their face pressuring."
 
The Mustangs recognized the importance of possession and kept all the opposing attacks to minimum gains up the field.
 
Starting off strong with an early try from Marisa Gopalakrishnan set the tone in the decisive victory. Orlando soon got to work tallying her first of 7 to put the team up 10 – 0.
 
She said she felt "Absolutely incredible" and that "It's our first game back, it's amazing, we did a great job."
 
Her sole focus is on team success, she is simply glad to help where she can and watch the teamwork as a unit and play lockdown defense.
 
Orlando was high on her team's defensive caliber post-game "I swear they only got 4- or 5-line breaks and no tries so I am very proud of my team."
 
Another key player was Jenna Lawrence who converted on 3 of the teams tries. Her converts helped in tight spots in the game to give the Mustangs some insurance.
 
Quick, effective passing kept the ball moving down field for the mustangs and Orlando's powerful stride and shoulder forced the ball into the try zone.
 
An impressive return to play victory for the Mustangs as they shift their attention to the next game on Oct. 2, on the road to take on Trent.