The Penn State women's rugby team transitioned seamlessly into the spring season Saturday. The Lady Ruggers opened their spring schedule and the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) playoffs in convincing fashion by shutting out Virginia Tech 48-0 in a quarterfinal matchup at West Campus Field.

"We performed well," captain Maggie Reed said. "All the players we asked to step up did, especially in the less than ideal field conditions."

Emily Donaldson got the scoring started early with a try, her first of two in the first half, and the Ruggers never made it any easier. Their onslaught continued through the first half with tries from Diana Klein, Karley McVerry, Allurie Kephart and Kate Daley. Donaldson scored two conversions to go along with her two tries.

Penn State coasted to a 34-0 halftime lead, but was still in need of a boost to keep up the pace in the second half.

"We were happy with our performance, but we needed to pick up the intensity, especially when the other team looked tired," Reed said.

"We're a very well conditioned team, and we needed to show that."

The second half saw less scoring from the Lady Ruggers.

But Penn State did pick up the intensity, working hard to keep Virginia Tech off the board. Kate Daley and Ginny Shuey scored the only tries of the half.

Amy Manidis was successful on both of the conversions.

Reed said the team acquired a lot of confidence with the victory and was particularly impressed with the play of the forwards.

"The game was won with our forward play," she said.

Saturday's victory advanced the Ruggers to the MARFU semifinals this Saturday at Princeton University. Penn State can improve its their seeding for the national championships with a strong showing.