Throughout Saturday’s rugby game, the Panthers did not allow Western past their 25 yard line in route to a 91-0 win.

“We have played a lot better, but we played really hard and had fun, which is very important,” Western Illinois coach Nicole Smith said.

“We played with a lot of rookies, and we’re a club team. We’re just not on the same level as Eastern,” Smith said.

Senior Nikki Ponce and senior Brittany Brown each scored two trys, adding to a 50 point first half.

Senior Desi Pence, freshman Melissa Agee and senior Maureen Kirby also added one try a piece, while senior flyhalf Jamie Buenzow scored a try and five point after trys. In a 41-point second half both Buenzow and Brown each scored another try while sophomore Laura Valcore, freshman Jess Elfring, sophomore Cyndi Deitch and freshman Melissa Agee all scored one try a piece.

With a big game against Clemson next week, Eastern played some of their younger players so that they could gain some experience and give the normal starters a rest, said head coach Frank Graziano.

“It’s a long season, and we need to get the younger players some experience in case of injury,” Graziano said. “Our game against Clemson is going to be emotionally big. They are a good team, and we are going to have to travel 10 or 11 hours.”