(credit: UNB REDS) The UNB REDS women's rugby team grinded out a 22-7 victory over the St. Thomas University Tommies in the 2nd annual Mary Cronin Memorial Game, Sunday afternoon at College Field.

Players on both sides had the number 23 written on their legs in honor of Cronin, the former STU soccer player and UNB rugby player who passed away at that age in the spring of 2022.

The Tommies opened with a sustained amount of pressure in UNB's end.

The REDS held off the first few waves of attack before Madelyn Walsh broke through down the left side for the games opening try.

UNB took no time responding, stealing possession off the ensuing kickoff, completing a great series of passes before Ella Myers punched in the try to put her side on the board.

"We got our energy back up after giving up the first try, refocused on what we had gone over in practice and that helped us out," said Myers.

UNB missed the following kick for the extra two points, so STU remained ahead 7-5.

STU would then storm down on the next possession, but UNB would hold strong close to their own line and, after multiple attempts, regained possession to advance back over half. 

The REDS would be stopped well short, and STU almost countered with another strong run from Walsh, but the score would hold until halftime.

UNB would quickly steal possession early into the second half and kept their foot on the gas, keeping the Tommies well out of their end for the remainder of the game.

"We communicated more, made sure we were all coming up together on the line, got lower on our tackles and made sure our support was good," said Myers on the REDS halftime adjustments.

Tries from Cassie and Lilly Innis and Ellie Cross were the result, putting 15 points on the board for the REDS who took the match 22-7 final.

UNB concludes their regular season next weekend when they host Holland College at College Field on Saturday at 1:00 pm.

RECAP BY: Jonathon James/ for UNB Athletics