WWRFC Heartbroken v. UVM
Written by: Cat Vielma
On this crisp Saturday morning, the Williams Womens Rugby Football Club prepared for a perfect day of rugby. After a promising spring season, the WWRFC looked forward to a stronger team this fall with players returning from abroad and spring rookies who were now poised to become game changers. Their fight for victory would be difficult though, as with the first kick off it became obvious that the WWRFC would face eighty-minutes of tough play.
Vermont overpowered a dazed WWRFC for the first thirty minutes of play, quickly scoring 19 points and embarrassing the once proud White Dawgs. Toward the end of the first half, Hannah Rosenthal ‘10 picked up the WWRFC’s spirits, though, as she grabbed the ball from a ruck, dodged a few UVM gargoyles, sprinted for the try zone and touched it down. After a strong conversion by Steph Brooks ‘10, the WWRFC inched closer with the score at 19-7.
The second half of play placed the WWRFC in a tight, yet unfortunately familiar, spot: losing to a team with lesser skill and missing various key starters due to unfortunate knocks to the head. Leah Landsdowne ’11 and Rachel Savain ’10 both left the field due to mild concussions. After rearranging themselves, the WWRFC played with their heart and soul, as Casey Lyons ‘11 and Xio Pinto ‘12 consistently rucked and punched the ball up the field. Twenty minutes into the second half, Cat Vielma ‘10 used her flanker position to rush the UVM flyhalf on a line out, force a fumble, grub kick the ball into the try zone and touch it down to make the score 19-12. Highlighting a brilliant day at flyhalf, Sarah Franklin ‘10 raised the WWRFC hopes once more, with a spectacular run, bump, spin, and cutback sprint that took her from the middle of the field to the try zone. With the score now 19-17, the WWRFC needed any kind of score to win the game- but with time running out and injuries mounting on both sides, a WWRFC victory was not meant to be this week.
The WWRFC’s killer Bs took the field prepared to avenge their A-side loss. Some promising rookies including Ariana Gonzalez ’13 and Colleen Fitzpatrick ’12 showed some natural rugby instincts through strong tackles. The B-side also took a hard loss, but showed the A-side their ability to learn the game so quickly and confidently. After the game, the WWRFC’s presitant, Steph Brooks ’10 had these words for the media: “Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal. We reminded ourselves of who we were in the second half and next weekend we’ll come back ready to fight from minute one… not minute forty one.”
The WWRFC will try to bounce back from this heartbreaking loss this Saturday at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)as it begins a two weekend series of away games.
Posted 9/29/09
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WWRFC Trumps WPI, 51-0
Written by: Cat Vielma
The Williams Womens Rugby Football Club (WWRFC) traveled two hours to Worcester on a blisteringly cold Saturday morning. Having feasted on a practice snack of mosquitos a few days before, the ruggers could barely believe that the temperature had shifted from bug infested to frost covered. As they finally arrived at Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) pitch, the weather’s instability became a thing of the past, as the pitch they arrived at came complete with a pitcher’s mound and second base.
Shrugging off their environmental conditions, the WWRFC huddled together before kick-off to remind themselves of what they felt last weekend when they suffered a heartbreaking 19-17 loss. Chanting, “19-17, HAOOO!” the WWRFC started the game with a fervor unlike any other. After punching and rucking the ball within WPI’s twenty-two yard line for the first ten minutes, eight-man Tatiana Fernandez ’11 broke through WPI’s defensive line to score the first try of the game. The floodgates now open, the White Dawgs continued their scientifically proven formula of punching, setting and rucking over to keep the momentum moving.
Throughout the first half, Xio Pinto ’12 and Colleen Fitzpatrick ’12 were stellar in shoving exhausted WPI ruggers out of rucks. Xio’s skill was not limited to ball carrying, as she performed beautifully in scrum downs, stealing various put-ins as a tight-head prop. As Xio, Colleen and the other scrummies continued to punch through the pitch, various linies took advantage of their hard work. Brittini Micham ’10 had some punches of her own, using her long legs to propel herself through the field like a gazelle, one could say. Sarah Franklin ’10 had yet another strong day at fly-half, taking hits and returning them in kind to the WPI ruggers.
To be entirely honest, this reporter had trouble keeping track of the glorious tries scored against WPI. Here is a listing of those ruggers who scored: Tati Fernandez ’11 (3), Brittany Baker ’10 (2), Hannah Rosenthal ’10 (2), Sarah Franklin ’10 (1), Cat Vielma ’10 (1). Tati Fernandez ’10 capped a strong day at eight-man with her first hat trick, all claimed during beautiful twenty-yard punches up the pitch. Sarah Franklin ’10 and Steph Brooks ’10 capped the tries with various conversions, making the final score 51-0. Brooks commented on the game afterwards, exclaiming: “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down, (we’ll be singing) but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down (when we’re winning).”
This week the WWRFC will praise their rugby goddesses as they prepare for a showdown against Norwich.
Posted 9/30/09
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WWRFC v. Norwich
Written by: Cat Vielma
The most celebrated of away games is the hotel room away game. As the Williams Womens Rugby Football Club (WWRFC) basically traveled to Canada to play Norwich University (NU), the Best Western had the pleasure of hosting all thirty female ruggers. While some teammates introduced each other to their respective stuffed animals, others went to dream of rucks and mauls in their pre-fluffed pillows.
The next morning proved to be just as pleasant as the one before- cold with a 40% chance of partly miserable. As the WWRFC took their places on the pitch they were not intimidated by the frivolous use of cannon fire in the background. As it was Norwich’s alumni weekend, cannons were literally firing at random, and shell smoke dawdled upon the pitch. Last week the White Dawgs played on a baseball field and this week they would play upon a battlefield.
As yet another cannon signaled the beginning of the match, the WWRFC hunkered down for a true rugby game- one played in the mud. Norwich’s pitch was dubiously regulation sized, as its width seemed far larger than the usual, and NU used this to their advantage, placing their backs egregiously wide. While the WWRFC forwards successfully won and stole various scrum-downs, the combination of the military school’s aerobic conditioning with their incredible use of stiff arms wore the White Dawgs down. Various Norwich tries combined these two strengths, as the WWRFC’s backs threw their bodies at the cadets, only to have them escape their tackles.
However, this did not stop the WWRFC from employing strategically placed penalty kicks, punches, and runs up the middle. As
Norwich looked on, the WWRFC would refuse them a shut-out, as fly-half and Spartan leader Sarah Franklin ’10 nailed a conversion and put the WWRFC on the board. At halftime, the score was 25-3.
The final score of 32-3 might imply a less than valiant effort by the WWRFC, however it must be noted that all fifteen players walked off the pitch knowing that they had left it all on the pitch. Incredible defensive maneuvers kept Norwich to only one try in the second half. Katie Zipps ’11 had some incredible drives up the weak side, stunning Norwich with her speed. Hannah Rosenthal ’10 plowed through various NU ruggers, stopping their drives with her fierce tackles. Casey Lyons ’11 was a constant source of strength within the White Dawgs scrum, making tackles and stealing line-outs.
The Killer Bs took the field inspired by their A-side. Playing in what felt like a kiddie rugby pitch, the B-side was led by Mai Okimoto ’13 at scrumhalf, proving Coach Kelly’s anthem of “anyone can tackle anyone” true. Dilia Ortega ’13 had strong punches, taking various Norwich cadets down as she tractored through them. America’s favorite pair, Alyson Hoffman ’10 and Emily Maclary ’10, had some magical moments on the line, weaving through Norwich tackles. Cat Vielma ’10 and Bethany Baker ’10 both scored, keeping shake and bake alive despite destiny’s desire to keep them apart. While the final score was 10-10, the Bs continue to improve and provide depth for their A-side.
Keep your noses afar from the WWRFC this week, as the ladies will be donning the same white jersey as they prepare for the match of the season versus AmHerst. This will be the last home game against AmHerst for the senior class, so come down and support the WWRFC this Saturday at 11am down by Cole Field. If the high intensity continues, it promises to be an epic match.
Posted 10/5/09
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Williams Conquers Amherst
Written by: Cat Vielma
As any Eph knows, there is no game like an Amherst game. In rugby, the Amherst match is unlike any other- all league standings disappear and instead thirty players tear each other apart for the inches standing between them and the try zone. This Saturday the Williams Womens Rugby Football Club (WWRFC) confronted their archrivals, the Amherst Womens Rugby Football Club (AWRFC). It was an overcast morning and with various key players unable to play due to injuries, the WWRFC was prepared for any mid-game positioning change.
As the opening drop kick sailed from Hannah Rosenthal’s (’10) foot, all fifteen White Dawgs charged the Amherst receiver. Once the women made their way to the Amherst 22 meter-line, they would rarely leave it during the first half. As Coach Kelly later stated, some of the “finest rugby” was played that morning and it all began with impressive mauls by the WWRFC’s scrum. Xio Pinto ’12 led the White Dawgs with impressive punching, turning, and mauling technique, while Mai Okimoto ’13 dished out the ball to the WWRFC’s backs. After almost twenty minutes of continuous punching and rucking in Amherst’s own five-meters, the WWRFC was finally able to capitalize on their positioning. A maul started by Colleen Fitzpatrick ’11 was pushed over the tryzone, where she then tossed the ball to an open Hannah Rosenthal ’10, who sneaked to her right and dove for the try.
With the score now 5-0, the White Dawgs continued to pressure Amherst. Some of the game’s finest moments came from the team’s line-out squad, as they clawed and stole various line-outs, giving their team precious possession. The WWRFC battled and won rucks, and a penalty was given to the WWRFC around the 22 meter-line. Sarah Franklin ’10 lined up the kick and gave it a confident trip between the uprights. At half, the score was Williams 8, Amherst 0.
The second half of the match continued the first half’s intensity. Leah Landsdowne ’11 kept the scrum on top, as she flew to make tackles. It is widely reported that her super human strength is harnessed from the sun via her dreadlocks, but she was unavailable for comment. The White Dawgs had time to play their favorite game, musical chairs, in the beginning of the second half, as Mai Okimoto ’13 shifted to flanker, Hannah Rosenthal swapped to outside center and Cat Vielma ’10 made a cameo at scrumhalf. Meagan Braun ’12 kept the line under control at flyhalf, and Sarah Franklin ‘10 continued to lock it up at fullback. The second half had defensive highlights, as all White Dawgs made their tackles and kept the Amherst squad on their own half. The final score showed the intensity of the match: Williams 8, Amherst 0.
The Killer Bs took on the Amherst second-string with a fire lit by their A-side. As the rain poured down, Ariana Gonzalez ’13, Dilia Ortega ’13, Austin Brown ’12, and Adena Hernandez ’12 led the Killer Bs with their own spectacular plays. Xio Pinto ’12 and Leah Landsdowne ’11 scored and two-fers Emily Maclary ’10 and Alyson Hoffman ‘10 led the WWRFC backs in strong breakways. The White Dawgs’ Bs dominated the game, with the final score being Williams 10, Amherst 0.
After a weekend without Amherst points, the Williams Women are looking forward the last home game of the regular season, playing Bentley this Saturday at 11am. A win pushes them to post-season contention. As Presitant Steph Brooks commented, “Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you are standing outside the fire.”
Posted 10/12/09
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WWRFC Defeats Bentley to Reach New England Play-offs
Written by: Cat Vielma
One week after defeating rival Amherst, the Williams Womens Rugby Football Club was poised to claim a spot in post-season contention with a win against Bentley. Saturday’s winner would enter the playoffs, loser would watch their season end.
As the first kick sailed through the air, the WWRFC struggled for possession. As the Bentley University women egregiously laid in rucks, the White Dawgs had to adapt their style of play. After twenty-minutes of back and forth possession, Bentley used their widely set line to dish out a pass to their wing, who evaded a pair of White Dawgs for a try. The WWRFC’s forwards, who are accustomed to mowing over opponents, found themselves overpowered in scrumdowns and line-outs. At halftime, the score was Bentley 5, Williams 0.
The second half brought a quick and demoralizing Bentley try. However, Xio Pinto ’12 angered Bentley ruggers with stiff arms and Bethany Baker ’10 snapped Bentley's resolve as a mistimed kick set off the Bentley women’s emotions. From that moment on, the WWRFC took control of the game. With the score 12-0 in Bentley’s favor, a Bentley line-out at the ten meter line was bobbled, recovered by flanker Cat Vielma ’10, set to prop Pinto, and passed onto scrumhalf Hannah Rosenthal ’10 who scored. The Williams women erupted with joy, knowing that the floodgates had opened. Minutes later, Rosenthal would make yet another miraculous run up the right side of the field, touching down the ball and tying the game at 12-12. The sideline exploded and on the pitch, those fifteen White Dawgs had one thing on their mind- “scorescorescore.”
Bentley’s players were clearly shaken by the back-to-back tries, and with eight minutes left in the game, the WWRFC was energized. Another mishandled Bentley line-out was secured by Colleen Fitzpatrick ‘12 and scrumhalf Rosenthal dished the recovered ball out to Texan flyhalf Meagan Braun ’12. Braun teamed up with her counterpart Katie Zipps ’11 for the most dazzling scissor pass in the history of the world. Zipps bursted through Bentley’s surprised defense and touched it down between the uprights. Sarah Franklin ’10 capped yet another spectacular day at fullback with the conversion kick. With six minutes left in the game, the score was Williams 19-12.
The Williams women continued to keep the play within Bentley’s ten meters, frustrating the already shocked Bentley players. As the ending whistle echoed through the pitch, the White Dawgs huddled around ecstatic coaches. Coach Coleman spoke, “I will never doubt you again,” referring to the unbelievable three tries scored within twelve minutes. Some had vomited in scrumdowns and others played in blissful ignorance, but all somehow played the best twelve minutes of their lives.
Presitant Steph Brooks ’10 commented, “Victory belongs to the most persevering. That was us.” The WWRFC will play Stonehill College in the first round of playoffs next weekend.
Posted 10/21/09
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Williams Falls to Stonehill
Written by: Cat Vielma
Arriving in Brockton, MA on a rainy Friday night the Williams Womens Rugby Football Club looked forward to their match against Stonehill College. The winner of the match would continue on to New England Rugby Football Union championships, while the defeated team would find their season come to a close. Missing some key players due to injuries, the WWRFC knew that their level of play would have to increase dramatically in order to keep their season alive.
As the WWRFC drove to the pitch, a light drizzle descended upon them. The usually powerful Williams scrum was unusually depleted, as the flu, a flat tire, and miscellaneous injuries hurt their strength. Within the first fifteen minutes, Stonehill College made their strength know through wide passes and powerful runs. The WWRFC’s backs attempted to stifle Stonehill’s runs, but the lack of experience on the WWRFC line was reflected in their defensive attempts. A strong run down the weak-side beat the WWRFC line and fullback, and Stonehill’s first try of the day was on the board.
The WWRFC’s scrum continued to push through, reaching rucks and winning them. Leah Landsdowne ’11 and Bethany Baker ’10 led the scrum in experience and strength, as they set the tone for the other six women. Sarah Franklin ’10 kept the Williams’ line in control, using a new split-line formation to supplement their scrum’s power. Even as the WWRFC gave it their all, Stonehill simply overpowered them. Various runs by Stonehill’s powerful outside-center created more tries, and at halftime the score was Stonehill 35, Willams 0.
The second half saw the continued power of Stonehill and the refusal to surrender by Williams. At one point, scrumhalf Hannah Rosenthal ’10 had three back-to-back tackles and was asked by the referee why she continued to tackle so hard. Her answer, “Why not?” Aubree Stevens ’12 made some critical tackles at wing, and Mai Okimoto ‘13 used her knowledge of rugby to induce penalties by Stonehill. Cat Vielma ’10 dug in for a 1 v. 4 ruck, Xio Pinto ’12 had some of her trademark stiffarm runs and Colleen Fitzpatrick ’12 refused to surrender. Even in the face of defeat, Baker hopefully commented from the sidelines, “This could still become the biggest comeback ever.”
However, this second half would not see the comeback that the WWRFC had completed the week before. As the referee blew the whistle to end the game, the final score was Stonehill 41, Williams 0. While the White Dawgs knew that they would not don their clarinet and gold colors until springtime, they all left the field proud of never giving Stonehill an inch for free. Head Coach Gina Coleman commented, “I’m looking forward to the spring, I’m looking forward to thirty black jerseys,” in reference to the spring season’s grudge match with AmHerst for bragging rights and jerseys. Stephanie Brooks ’10, left the match stating, “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Posted 10/28/09
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