SENECA 42, MOHAWK 7 (FINAL)

It's like learning from the school of hard knocks, or in some cases, knock-ons.

Mohawk's fledgling women's rugby team lost their third straight game, 42-7 to the Seneca Sting, Thursday (October 6) at Mohawk Sports Park). But despite the scoreline  and despite the bumps and bruises, which were considerable, the Mountaineers finally got to celebrate just before the referee's final whistle, when they scored the first try in Mohawk women's varsity rugby. "You'd think they won the game," said coach John Guilfoyle.

The honour of going down in history as the person who got the first major score was Reyanna Sangestino, a product of Sir James Dunn HS in Sault Ste. Marie. Danika Faucon of Ottawa was good on the conversion to end the game. They are just two of a slew of first year players on the Mohawk roster. It was an almost giddy Sangestino, as she savoured her accomplishment in a sport she'd never played until this season. She said, "I just tried to look for the ball, got it, saw the line and just dove in."

"Actually, we almost scored a couple of minutes before Reyanna's try, said Guilfoyle. That would have made the score more respectable."

The coach said the game fit the pattern so far this season. The team starts slowly, then has a good stretch in the middle going, then fatigue sets in at the end. "But the girls came back and played well for periods, said the coach." With all the inexperience there's a lack of consistency and support. But the enthusiasm is there." And Reyanna Sangestino needed just one word to describe the sport just three games into her career. "Awesome!"

Kristin Savio had three tries for Seneca, (now 1-2) and Lorette Kasamba had two. Other Sting tries went to Louise Chen, Katelyn Carey and Melissa Atkinson. Kimmee Meigs added a conversion.

Source: Mohawk College