The Eastern women’s rugby team traveled to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and defeated the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Saturday afternoon to extend their win streak to five.

The 57-31 win, not in rugby sevens format, improved the Panthers to 5-2 on the season.

After leading 28-14 at halftime, Eastern added 29 more points in the second half after MTSU continued to prove resilient on the offensive end.

The Blue Raiders scored 17 points in the second half, which is more than the Panthers have given up in one game alone.

Also in the match, senior center Lauren Doyle returned to action after her trip to China with the National Team.

In her comeback, she recorded three trys, bringing her total to 11 in just two games played.

Scoring three trys as well was breakout sophomore center Madison Kissner.

Her 15 points, five assists and four runs over 20-yards paced Eastern in the victory.

She continues to lead the team in trys (23), points (115), and runs over 20-yards (28).

Handling the majority of the kicking duties once again for the Panthers was sophomore scrum-half Carissa Burge.

Her six-for-seven effort on two-point conversions led to 12 points on the day, while also adding two runs over 20-yards as well.

Freshmen Jasmine Gardner and Kelsey Jackson scored a try as well, and sophomore prop Ellen Wilson rounded up the effort with one of her own.

Sophomore lock Kim Youhas tied Burge’s mark, also recording six solo stops on the day.

Eastern will finish up the season next Sunday against Georgia Tech at 11 a.m. and will look to end the season with six straight wins.

Nicholas Ruffolo can be reached at 581-2812 or nfruffolo@eiu.edu.