Army’s Annie Lee Seals Victory of Emirates Airline USA Rugby 2011 Women’s Division I National Championships

This morning the whole rugby community is abuzz about Annie Lee, the #11 winger for Army. Lee scored all 33 points (including conversions) in the victory over Penn State! Despite shutting the Black Knights out in the second half and adding two tries of its own in that time, Penn State could not overcome the deficit created by winger Lee, who scored all of Army’s points on the day and received MVP honors. She was almost nauseatingly humble when asked about the award. “There were 33 other players who had to do their job really well for me to score,” she said. “I guess (MVP) just meant I did my job as well as they did. I’m supposed to score, and I did.” While watching the match via Ustream, several viewers were wondering why they hadn’t heard of Lee before but she has been in the USA U20s pool and viewers let us know that Lee has been an integral part of the Army team.

At the start of the match, Penn State opened the game in a hurry, dominating field position and pushing through the Army defense twice for tries within the first few minutes of the match. Prop Lauren Poole was able to dot down following a breakdown a meter out from the try-line.  Flyhalf Sadie Anderson converted on the play.

Next was inside-center Hanna Gregor, dashing around the Army defenders for a 20-meter break and subsequent score.

From there, Lee responded with three tries and two conversions to put Army in the lead.  The first coming off a 25-meter break, next a 50-meter dash, and finally through an intercepted pass from winger Lauren Barber by Jessica Sexauer, who offloaded to Lee to finish the 75-meter run.

Barber responded to her handling error, picking off the next pass on the ensuing kickoff.  The freshman eluded defenders to scamper 25 meters for the try.

Minutes later, Lee scooted around the defense for a fourth time in the half, this time finishing a 60-meter break.  The cadet converted on the play.

To round out the period, Lee added the final scores for Army from 25 meters out and successive conversion kick.

The Lions found themselves meters from the Black Knight try-line on several occasions in the second half, but could not convert on the opportunities.  Flanker Christiane Pheil struck midway through the period to edge Penn State closer.

A nail-biting finish ensued with Barber breaking the defense with minutes to go, bringing the Army lead to just four.  Penn State immediately was able to place the ball in Black Knight territory through an Anderson kick, to reach touch.  Despite the Lions stealing the lineout, Army was able to turn the ball over and find touch to finish the game.

The loss marks the first time Penn State has fallen in competition since 2009, when it fell to the United States Naval Academy during the regular season, 41-0. This is the first time Army has won the national women’s collegiate title, although they have frequently been visitors to the final four. Since 2003 no other teams besides Penn State or Stanford have won the DI title.

Army vs Penn State Match Video

Video streaming by Ustream

6 thoughts on “Army’s Annie Lee Seals Victory of Emirates Airline USA Rugby 2011 Women’s Division I National Championships”

  1. Army was a fun team to watch over the two days, and I became an instant Ann Lee fan (the word “mesmerizing” comes to mind). The Army defense was relentless when they were pinned back (defense wins championships!), and their support was brilliant (Sexauer and Lee work magic together). The men’s NC game following the gem of a game between Army and Penn State was almost anticlimactic. It’s a shame the women’s game was not televised, because I think it would have garnered a lot of new fans/interest to the sport, in particluar, the women’s game. Congratulations to both teams on a cracker of a game!

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  2. BZ Army!
    The West Point Lady Ruggers aquitted themselves very well. Overcoming an early 12 point deficit  to control the territory and win the match required mental toughness. They held the try line on numerous occasions just inches from the line. When it was time to turn on the speed, they hit the afterburners. They were the superior team in all regards!
    No retreat, no surrender.
    It was an entirely delightful Championship!
    Go Army!

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