HOLLYWOOD, Fl. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's rugby squad competed in the 2019 DHL RAN Beach 5's Tournament on Saturday, January 5 where they finished in third place.
 
The team competed in its first-ever 5's tournament where every try is worth one point and there are no conversions. It's a fast-paced version of the game, played in the sand, barefoot, and on a pitch that is 31 meters long and 25 meters wide. Also, there are no rucks, set pieces, or any other stoppages of play in each 5 minute half of play.
 
In pool play, the Royals fell to Phoenix 7's in their first match of the day, 7-1, with their lone try coming from senior Maddy d'Oliveira. In match two, Queens tallied another loss against Vice City, 5-3, seeing tries scored by Teaghan Steele, Debora Tessou, and d'Oliveira.
 
The Royals recorded their first win later in the afternoon against Phoenix Fire, winning 6-5 with tries scored by Bridget Mielke, MiKayla Tatum, Abby Berberich, Abby Tobias, Steele, and d'Oliveira.
 
In match four for either third or fourth place, Queens defeated Phoenix Fire once again, 7-5,  with tries from Tobias (2), d'Oliveira (2), Gabriella La Lumia, Sarah Awad, and Berberich.

d'Oliveira recorded at least one try in each match throughout the day, with a final tally of five tries on the day.
 
Assistant coach of women's rugby, Emily Record, commented, "The team saw huge improvements every game they played, as this was their first experience playing 5's."
 
More information and results from the tournament can be found here.