The Panthers were losing 15-12 Saturday in the second half against West Chester in the first NCAA rugby match.

It did not seem like they were going to leave their own territory as the Golden Rams were threatening to score again for a majority of the second half.

Then, with 15 minutes left, junior Molly Clutter ran the ball 60 yards for what seemed like the third try of the day.

But the referee only had her down at the 1.

With 10 minutes, 54 seconds left, junior wing Samantha Manto finished Clutters’ drive scoring and gave Eastern the lead 19-15 after a Victoria Rosales kick.

But West Chester players would not relent as they came down the field once more and Sasha Stauffer scored with 4:58 left, allowing the Golden Rams take back their lead 20-19.

That would be the last score of the day.

The historic match came to a close with West Chester winning 20-19.

It was not the first time the Panthers and Golden Rams faced each other. The other time was Sept. 9, 2001, but this time, the Panthers did not win; this time, there was more on the line.

The match by definition was an upset considering Eastern is a Division-I school and West Chester is a Division-II school.

Panther head coach Frank Graziano said he was upset that they did not win, but he said he could not have asked for a better match.

“What a great way to start NCAA play,” Graziano said. “Both teams played their guts out today. Either team could have won; unfortunately, we came out on the short end.”

The Golden Rams’ head coach Tony DeRemer echoed Graziano’s enthusiasm for the match.

“Both teams came out prepared and played great,” DeRemer said. “Either team could have won. Thankfully we were able to keep possession of the ball and when you keep possession from the other team, you’ll win the game.”

A majority of the Panthers looked visibly upset after the match, but they all agreed that although they lost, they still had pride.

“We didn’t give up,” senior prop Jaki Brophy said. “I’m proud of that.”

Clutter had scored the first try in NCAA rugby history in the 15th and 20th minutes.

Graziano said he could not have been prouder of Clutter and her performance.

“Molly played incredible,” Graziano said. “She was all over the field, playing defense and scoring. That’s the best game I’ve ever seen Molly play.”

Clutter said she felt the significance of the game was more important than winning the game, though she said she would have loved to win.

“It’s a heartbreaker, losing by one,” Clutter said. “But the significance is greater. It’s not just about me.”

Clutter had no disrespect for the Golden Rams, but said she thought they could have won.

“They were a good team,” she said. “Our team put up a good fight . it was great. Once we started winning, though, I think we let down a little.”

Stauffer, who scored West Chester’s last try, was equally excited about being part of the historical game. She said she was filled with elation and said she could not believe she scored the winning try.

Katy Black, who scored two trys for West Chester, had said before the match started that her team would concentrate on the match and winning, and not its historical context.

“I like that West Chester is sponsored by the NCAA and I’d like to see other schools sanctioned,” Black said. “But when it comes to playing on Saturday, it’ll just be another match.”

Before the match started, Graziano allowed one of his players an honor he said he had been working on for a few years.

He gave injured senior captain Eileen O’Rourke the honor of giving the speech to the team before the game.

“We had been sitting in my office for about an hour, upset over Eileen’s injury,” Graziano said. “So I told her she would give the speech before the game. She got emotional, I got emotional.”

O’Rourke said she told the team to go out and have fun and to play their game, but not to worry about all the fans. She said the team was not accustomed to all of the fans at the match.

But she said Graziano’s gesture helped make her feel better.

” It made me feel important,” O’Rourke said. “It was my way of contributing to the team since I couldn’t be out on the field. I felt like I was a part of the team. I’m thankful for him allowing me to do that.”

O’Rourke said she was proud of her teammates, despite losing the match.

“Everyone played hard and gave it their all,” she said.

The Panthers will next play Indiana 6 p.m. Friday in Bloomington, Ind.

Tiffany Kennedy, sophmore flanker, stares straight ahead in dispair after losing to West Chester (Penn.) Saturday at Lakeside Field. The Panthers lost to the Golden Rams 20-19. Amir Prellberg/The Daily Eastern News

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