Volume CXXXIII, Number 8 November 2, 2001 f

Women ruggers wind up season with big win over Wellesley
LINDSAY MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

What do you say at the abrupt end of a near-perfect season, at the splitting of a successful team such as the 2001 women's rugby team?

Rachel Hedlund '04 goes up in last Saturday's Wellseley game. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

Nothing. And silence was the reaction of the ruggers as they learned Monday that they had missed the New England playoffs to Tufts by losing just one game, and that they had also missed the wild-card spot to Springfield by a scoring technicality.

Players were particularly disappointed because Springfield won the wild-card spot by point differential. While Bowdoin had scored more total points throughout the season, Springfield's squad had fewer points scored against it.
However, the Bear ruggers ended their season with style, grace, and passion. In a quick and glorious game last Saturday afternoon, the A-side women defeated archrival Wellesley by a score of 49-20.

Bowdoin scored almost immediately, setting the quick and Bear-dominated pace of the game. Having prepared mentally and physically all week for the match, keeping the memory of last year's loss at Wellesley in mind, and knowing that the game would be the last for many players, the team performed with an intensity clear to any spectator.

Senior Lindsay Pettingill and junior Ellie Doig both scored twice in Saturday's game. Other scorers included senior Jess Bergen, sophomores Lynnette Batt and Courtney Reilly, and senior Julie Thompson with conversion kicks.
Players left the pitch feeling satisfied with a well-played final match against Wellesley.

Even more impressive, one might argue, was the incredible talent and promise the Bowdoin B-side team has shown all year and in the Wellesley game as well. Finishing the season undefeated, the B-squad defeated Wellesley 17-10. The team played with a cohesion unexpected by a group so diverse in experience.

Senior Lauren Rodriquez and juniors Andrea Weeks and Jess Morin scored for the Bears. In addition, new kicking sensation Dawn Rackliffe made her debut with a two-point conversion kick.

Thus, at Monday's final meeting of the year, the team displayed a mix of emotions: pride in the season's successes, disappointment in missing the playoffs, and hope for the spring's short season and the following next year. Seniors and first years alike spoke on the meaning of the team for themselves and described a collectively-felt love for the sport and their teammates.

Coaches MaryBeth and Bob Matthews praised the ruggers for their efforts and urged them to let go of their disappointment at missing the playoffs. The coaches also reminded the ruggers that many Bowdoin rugby alums have gone on to join club side and national rugby teams across the country.

Putting the team's inner workings into words is difficult. As a player myself, I have never known a group to be more open, accepting, exciting, and inspiring as my fellow teammates have proved to be this year. The smiles and jokes, stretching and preparing, analysis and constructive criticism, hugs and support, cheers and excitement, and even tears and disappointment that we shared have created a bond between friends I'd never shared before.

While I assume that such unity exists on other teams, the experience of playing a sport as physically demanding as rugby and developing such strong relationships with teammates is a combination I've never felt in the past nor on other athletic teams.

The caring attitude and mutual respect fundamental to the team is a direct function of coaches MaryBeth and Bob Matthews, who create a truly familial atmosphere.

Also crucial to the team was experienced leadership from captains Sarah Jenness and Katherine Buckspan. Jenness, with her decision-making in the backline, and Buckspan, with her respected authority among the forwards, encouraged an inclusive yet competitive atmosphere that challenged the entire team.

Junior Karen Finnegan stated what the entire team both knew and felt. "It would not have been the season that it was without the leadership of Buckspan and Jenness, both on and off the pitch," she said. "Their drive and determination to succeed are an inspiration. It is impossible to give anything less than your best when faced with their dedication.

"The seniors provided the strong foundation that the team needed," she continued. Throughout the season, their patience at practice and enthusiasm at games have taught new players what it means to be a member of the women's rugby team."

Future plans for the team include a four-day camp this summer and a possible tour in Australia.