Volume CXXXI, Number 23 April 26, 2002 f

Ruggers wrap up short season
LINDSAY MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

The women's rugby team played a round-robin tournament earlier this month and wrapped up its season on April 20. (Karsten Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

The Women's Rugby Team, having just completed a short three-game spring season looks solid for the upcoming fall. The ruggers played Seacoast, Williams and Colby in a round-robin tournament and Wellesley in three exciting games this past April 6th, 13th, and 20th. Even just these three games were joyfully welcomed as most spring games have been canceled in past years due to snow and poor weather conditions. Most games were a mixture of A-side and B-side squads combined in a series of 30-minute halves. Bowdoin lost the first to Sea Coast, one a game and lost a game to Williams and Colby, and tied long time rivals, Wellesley.

While Bowdoin did not win all of the matches, the spring season is commonly used as a rebuilding and experimental period. Players were able to try out new positions, and a new class or rookies joined the team.

Coaches Mary Beth and Bob Matthews commented on the outcomes: "Our intent was not to win each match, but to play different groups of people and allow everyone to enjoy the game. We were very successful in this attempt and I would have to say that the quality of rugby got better with every 30-minute half that we'd play." With the leadership of Captains Sarah Jenness and Katherine Buckspan as well as seniors Lindsay Pettingill, Ellen Driver, Julie Thompson, Kristen Gleasen and Tiffany Mok, the Bowdoin Women's Rugby team grew in numbers and skill during this short season. With 9 rookies, practices were over 40 players strong, an attendance extremely successful for the short time. Buckspan noted that many of this fall's rookies had already stepped up their intensity of play to help guide the team.

One of the most wonderful aspects of the team is this welcoming attitude and interest in acclimating new players. Women's rugby becomes more then just a team of athletes, but also close friends. Newcomer Jen Horwitz explained, "I'm so glad I finally decided to join the team and see what it was like … everyone is always being so supportive and awesome," and senior rookie Sarah Cohn agreed, "I had an amazing time with the team over the past month and a half! I'm sad that it took me so long to come out and play! The sport is great, everyone should play, and I hope to continue with it after graduation and moving off somewhere!" The seniors will certainly be missed next year. Two are even considering continuing club rugby after graduation.

This spring, the women focused on ball handling in passing lines and tackling skills to improve for next season, and they anticipate an extremely strong fall. Having recruited freshmen heavily in the past few years, the team's numbers remain large, and the rising seniors will be able to offer considerable experience on the field. Next year's captain's back, Ellie Doig, and forward, Carolyn Westra, have been strong leader on the team for the past three years and we await the upcoming season under their leadership.