Volume CXXXIII, Number 4 September 28, 2001 f

Women's rugby buries Bridgewater
LINDSAY MORRIS
Staff Writer

Women's rugby prepares to meet Stonehill on Saturday. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

Here's the scene - it's pouring rain on a Tuesday afternoon; members of the women's rugby team are soaking wet, covered with mud, and are hard at work practicing slide tackles, passing lines, and support drills. Coaches MaryBeth and Bob Matthews are wasting no time in preparing for this weekend's matchup against Stonehill.

One might expect such a rigorous practice following a recent poor performance, but the Bowdoin women are instead looking to maintain the level of physical fitness and domination they exhibited against Bridgewater in the first game of the season last weekend.

Bowdoin A-side beat Bridgewater A-side by a score of 49-5. Despite some sloppy play from the Bears early on, they quickly weakened Bridgewater.
With a total of four tries scored, junior Ellie Doig was unstoppable. In several different plays made by the back-line, she was able to score on breakaways.
Senior Julie Thompson made several conversion kicks following the tries, and sophomore Whitney Alexander made a four-point penalty kick. Other scorers included Jess Bergen '02, Lindsay Pettingill '02, and Joanie Taylor '03.
In comparison to recent scrimmages against Bates and Colby, Bowdoin seemed much more focused and offensive in the Bridgewater defeat.

"We were more successful this weekend because we played as a team-we just seemed more coherent," Doig said. "With forwards joining the back line and not overcommitting to rucks, we were more powerful."

Due to the lack of substitutes on Bridgewater's team, the Bowdoin B-side ruggers gained some extra experience by playing for the other team. Bowdoin's only try was scored in an interception made by sophomore Courtney Reilly. Her interception was followed by a quick breakaway, and Kate Barns '04 made the conversion kick. The match finished with Bowdoin B a 7-5 winner.
According to the women ruggers, the rugby team still has much to work on after a successful weekend. They are looking to become stronger defensively, supporting one another in contact situations.

This means an increase of aggression and confidence in ball handling and attacking. In general, the women look to play with continued cohesion between backs and forwards.

Bowdoin's next match will be played at home tomorrow, against Stonehill, at 1:00 p.m.