Penn State Thumps Stanford to Win Women's Division 1 Title

After losing a tight 15-10 game to Stanford in the 2008 Women’s Division 1 Championship, Penn State made things very clear that 2009 was their year in the sun. Penn State used a second half barrage to defeat Stanford 46-7 thus denying Stanford a repeat and in the process securing their second National Title in the last three years.

In a game marred by three yellow cards, the two squads played extremely close for the first half. Penn State got on the board first with a converted try from flyhalf Sadie Anderson. Stanford answered the Penn State score with one of their own from, surprise, Jess Watkins. The try was Watkins fourth try of the weekend and after the conversion deadlocked the score at 7-7.

Penn State regained the lead 12-7 when outside center Laureen Rosso scored on a big run on the outside. The tides could have turned back in Stanford’s favor after Penn State's No. 8 Kate Daley was sent to the sin bin. Penn State’s defense held strong and were aided when Stanford wing Ramine Cromartie was sent to the sin bin right before halftime.

Kate Daley

After halftime, Penn State extended their lead to 15-7 with a penalty goal and then Stanford was hit with yet another yellow card. Smelling blood in the water, Penn State dominated the second half with five more tries to clinch the National Championship. Penn State's No. 8 Kate Daley scored two of the tries to give her four tries on the weekend. Sadie Anderson and Laureen Rosso each scored second half tries to give them two apiece in the game and wing Anne Blair finished off the scoring for Penn State.

The second half route was an unfortunate turn of events for Stanford, but one thing is certain…they’ll be back. Both Penn State and Stanford are loaded with talent and will be considered favorites to return to the Big 4 in 2010.