A couple hundred people were in attendance to witness the Lady Aggies dominate Weber State at home Saturday. The Ags won big, 77-0, tallying 27 points in the first half and amassing 50 in the second.

Captain and fly-half Shannon Woolley notched a team and career-high of 23 points. Woolley was 6-of-9 on try kick conversions, chipped in two penalty kicks and added a try of her own. Aggie coach Dennis Kohler tabbed Woolley as the offensive player of the game not only for her point production but for her excellent ability to create plays during the game.

Kylee Griffin tallied four tries, while inside center Hannah Turner and scrum half Jesse Trina each added two of their own. Winger Devin Markle and hooker Vanessa Avila-Esparza had a try each to account for the Aggies 77-point explosion.

The Aggies put the game away for good during the second half when Griffin picked up a fumble, split two defenders and broke away for 60 meters and a score.

“It was a pretty easy breakaway,” Griffin said.

Woolley hit the kick conversion to put the Ags up 56-0. Not more than five minutes later, Trina added another 60 meter breakaway for a score. Woolley converted again to put the Ags up 63-0.

“It wasn’t a very stressful game, I was just having fun,” Wooley said.

“(The forward pack) was very solid, not hesitant on rucks, and blew the other team over,” said Tiffany “Tippy” Gourley, who watched from the sidelines.

Griffin struck two more times and this time captain Tabitha “Mo” Morin hit both kick conversions for the final score of 77-0.

“The entire back line deserves commendation for defending smarter than they have all year,” Kohler said.

Kohler said Avila-Esparza, who played consistent defense, was the defensive player of the game. He also said Avila-Esparza led the forward pack with outstanding leadership and consistently won scrums against the head.

Sara Barlow, Gourley and Kelsey Meno did not participate Saturday due to injury. Barlow is out with broken ribs, Gourley is out with a leg injury and Meno is still waiting for medical clearance to play after she sustained a head injury in the second game of the season.

Kohler said there were no obvious injuries on Saturday, but he is not usually aware of them until during practice the following week.

“They (injuries) always come up on Tuesdays,” he said.

USU will enjoy a little home cooking during the next three weeks as it hosts the Slugs, the Provo Steelers and UVU. Kohler said the team will be working on ball control, end-of-run continuity and tightening up as a whole team to form a more cohesive unit. The Aggies have faced the Slugs and the Steelers more than once this year and will not look past them, while their match against UVU has playoff implications.

“This game will determine whether we attend regional playoffs in the spring,” Kohler said.

Men’s Rugby

The Aggies defeated UVU in part two of the rugby matinee held at the HPER Field last Saturday, 34-10.

This was the final game for the Aggies’ fall season and they didn’t disappoint. The forward pack dominated the set plays and never lost a scrum throughout the game.

Ryan Mcleod, Porter Macey, Jeremy Hanks and Jacob Gunter all scored tries. Nate Anderson also added a try of his own along with a field goal kick

Anderson went 3-of-5 on conversion kicks for a total of 14 points, while Brandon Grigg also played a big support role in the Aggies’ victory.

“The team really came together and didn’t make many mistakes,” Mcleod said.

Mcleod also said this was the only game where an Aggie didn’t end up battered and bloodied. The Aggies were at full health with the exception of team president Teddy Smith and Kade Roberson.

Smith said the Ags may play Boise State at home next Saturday but it’s not for certain. Practices will end this week and won’t start up again until January.

– ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu