The women’s rugby team brought its winning streak to a program-best 19 games after a 61-5 win Saturday against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.

Eastern scored early and often in the match leading 32-0 at halftime.

Senior wing Crystal Jones scored six tries for the Panthers, but it was how she scored that impressed Eastern head coach Frank Graziano.

“She is really starting to understand the game of rugby,” Graziano said. “She was scoring from a number of different positions. She had long runs of 50 or 60 yards, but she also scored on short runs, counters, set plays and individual efforts.”

He said although she does not have the biggest frame, she also played great on defense.

Freshman Kelsi Wright had her first career start for the Panthers and did not disappoint. Playing her first time at the No. 8 position, because of an injury to senior No. 8 Stephanie Militello, Wright scored two times, she notched an assist, had five tackles.

Graziano said Militello was out with bruised ribs and should return next week, but he would have to find a spot for Wright. Wright has played flanker and lock for the Panthers already this season.

“We have a team with five or six new players, and we are a lot farther along than I thought we would be already this season,” Graziano said. “Right now our team is playing hard and starting to understand their patterns.”

Eastern will return to action at noon Saturday when it hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the first time ever at Lakeside Rugby Field.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or dscusack@eiu.edu.

Senior center Ashley Jenkins is dragged down from behind by Grand Valley State’s Amanda Godfrey during the rugby team’s victory over Grand Valley State Sept. 12, at Lakeside Rugby Field. The Panthers beat Iowa State 61-5 Saturday in Ames, Iowa.(Karolina S

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