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Volume CXXXIII, Number 2 |
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Lady ruggers take to the pitch a different outlook as a varsity sport
LINDSAY MORRIS
STAFF WRITER
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| A lady rugger dives for the ball at practice. The women look to play an evenly matched game against Colby tomorrow. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
However, the women went into their first match as a varsity sport a little rusty. Losing to Springfield College 22-5, they found themselves scrimmaging and rucking until senior fullback Lynette Batt scored the only try of the game in the first half with the support of the entire back line. The team also suffered an unfortunate setback during the game when senior Courtney Reilly suffered a concussion. But setbacks didn't bring their hopes down.
In the second half, many rookies got their first opportunity to play. They had been eagerly anticipating their debut for over two weeks. Coach Mary Beth Matthews said, "Bowdoin was outplayed by a more experienced team, but learned much in the process."
By the second match Saturday afternoon, the ruggers were fired up and played a strong game against returning Division II semi-finalists St. Joseph's University. Although Bowdoin lost 7-0, they played with increased integration between the forwards and backs, as well as improved handling, rucking, and support. Angell, Backs, and Batt provided clutch defensive tackles to hold St. Joe's from further scoring, while forwards Whitney Alexander '04, Lauren Flinn '04, Ashley Inderfurth '04, Rachel Hedlund '04, and Jen Horwitz '04 led the Black Pack to a solid game. Narrowly missing several scoring opportunities, the Bears showed a promising performance.
By Sunday, most players were sore if not exhausted from Saturday's double-header, but they pulled together to beat Norwich University 5-0. Veterans and rookies alike unified and played a great offensive game. In a split 3-10 back play, back Shauna Johnston '05 scored a corner try to put Bowdoin ahead. In the second half the rookies played tough defense, led by some of the amazing tackles by fly half Margaret "Munny" Munford '07 and Paige Contreras-Gould '04.
Under the skillful coaching of Mary Beth and Bob Matthews, Kathryn Buckspan, and former Beantown back Bit, the ladies have shown excellent potential for a winning season. In addition, the leadership of captains Lauren Flinn and Rachel Jones, as well as the returning upperclassmen, has helped to unite the team. First-year Astrid Rodriguez put it best when she said, "I looked into rugby and had the balls to step out onto the pitch. It's still scary, but I know I can do it. Plus, I have forty-plus awesome women telling me I can...just in case I forget."
The team is certainly unique in the sense that even though it has been named a varsity sport, it continues to be open to walk-ons who have never played rugby or any sport for that matter.
The women are enjoying many of the luxuries that came with changing from club to varsity, including more comfortable accommodations and recognition. Claudia Marroquin '06 said, "although we were always athletes at Bowdoin, our hard work, sweat, tears, victories, and pain are now acknowledged on a greater spectrum."
Taking the experience from the weekend's tournament, captain Rachel Jones '04 said of the new team, "they have a greater understanding of the game and of the camaraderie that comes with playing rugby." Captain Lauren Flinn '04 agrees with Jones, "the women's rugby team is a unique group on campus. You cannnot go anywhere else at Bowdoin and find so many different types of people who are willing to put their body on the line for a sport and for each other."
The women look forward playing against Colby this Saturday in Waterville.
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