Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University junior varsity women's rugby dominated Georgia Tech in a 142-0 blowout on Saturday.
 
"We saw some substantial growth from our JV squad against Georgia Tech," Assistant Coach Laura Miller said. "Tech brought a scrappy side, which gave our JV a great run. The weather proved to be a challenge, and given the rain the team's offloads in contact were very impressive. We saw great work from in the breakdowns today from Guada Holani. After having returned from injury, her work rate has improved significantly. In addition, we saw some phenomenal turnovers from Bonnie Mosby who made an impact both as tackler and tackle assist."
 
In total, 12 different Running Eagles scored tries in the match. Catlina Tatafu paced five tries, while both JaVonii Mae Merritt and Tatum Johnson both scored four tries. Malery Billingy added a hat trick. Gabriela Bergamin contributed a double.
 
Tatafu got things started with back-to-back tries within the first four minutes of the match to take a 12-0 lead. Merritt got the score sheet with her first try six minutes in, followed by Tatafu's third two minutes later. Jade M. Garcia, Lauren Dodd and Jesah Haun added tries at 12', 13' and 14', respectfully, to take a 38-0 lead. Tatafu earned her fourth try at 20'. Merritt earned her second try at 27', followed by Billingy three minutes later. Tatafu scored her fifth and final try at 30' to push the lead to 60-0 into the half.
 
In the second half, Johnson got the ball rolling again with a try one minute into the half. Merritt logged her third try a minute later. Billingy found pay dirt for her second try at 44' to go up 79-0. Makayla Lowe got on the score sheet at 48' with a try. Johnson and Merritt scored back-to-back tries at 53' and 55', respectively. Johnson scored her third try a short time later to put Life U in 101-0. Bergamin scored her first try followed by Johnson's fourth at 62' and 64', respectively. Sydnee Cervinski got on the score sheet at 67'. Billingy earned her hat trick with a try at 71'. Bergamin added her second try at 73'. The Running Eagles added two more tries from Ciara Lambert and Chyenee Samuels to take the 142-0 victory.
 
The JV Running Eagles will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 24 as they welcome UGA Rugby to Lupo Family Field.