A Wet and Muddy Win against IU October 24, 2011
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After another cold and rainy fall week in Michigan the weather cleared up to provide a beautiful backdrop to muddy match between the University of Michigan women’s rugby club as they hosted Indiana University. The game started out with some of the best rugby the Wolverines had played all season. They were able to control the breakdown area and attack space as it became available. The first try of the morning was scored by Sophomore Wing Olivia Nordquist. It was a full team effort with the forwards taking the ball up to suck in the defense and the backs working to swing the ball quickly out wide. The second try of the game came from a hard driving maul off of a lineout from the forwards with Christine Lisee at the back fighting hard to get the ball to ground. The Wolverines continued to work hard on offense as the forwards drove down the field and the back were able to capitalize on space on the blind side. UMWRFC went into halftime up 17-0. The girls from Indiana had come for a fight and after two consecutive tap-and-goes off of penalties the Hoosiers brought the game to 17-12. The Wolverines struggled to regroup on defense and IU was able to score another quick try off of the kick-off. Michigan was able to bounce back on offense exploiting the blind side once again off of a well executed draw and pass from scrumhalf Sarah DiStefano. The scoring continued after a hard run from Indian brought the score to 22-24. After a horrendous penalty against one of their own, the Wolverines sought to protect their family and were able to find each other once again to score one final try. It was a hard fought battle on both sides and UMWRFC can walk away with confidence knowing they were resilient in the face of adversity and can come together to perform under pressure. The Wolverines will look to improve on defense and maintaining intensity for the full 80 minutes as they face Ohio State University in Columbus this coming Saturday.
Final Score: Michigan 29-Indiana 24
Tries: O. Nordquist, C. Lisee, M. McCarthy-3
Conversions: M. McCarthy-2
Shutout Victory Over Purdue October 16, 2011
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(picture: courtesy of Mrs. Neuharth)
The day started early for the University of Michigan Women’s Rugby team as they departed Saturday morning to travel to Lafayette, IN to take on the Boilermakers. What started out as a dark and rainy car ride turned into a quintessentially sunny, crisp fall day. The goals of this game included improving communication and defense. The Wolverines did just that as they refused to let Purdue near the try line. The game started out will several powerful runs from the forwards. Junior Shaina Warner drove two of those runs into the try zone for the first points of the game. Purdue worked hard on defense and forced the Michigan backline to work the ball out wide and challenge them one-on-one. Katie McDonald did just that, slicing through several Boilermakers to score the third try of the game. UMWRFC set out after half-time to reestablish dominance in the rucks and create a stable platform from which to attack. Ashley Henk helped do just that and added another try, once again proving how crucial her leadership has been in a front row plagued by injuries. It was also great to see Deycha Robinson back out on field, making her presence felt as she was dominant in the scrums. The University of Michigan Women’s Rugby team will host the University of Indiana on Saturday, October 22nd at 11 am on North Field.
Final Score: Michigan 55-Purdue 0
Tries: 2-S. Warner, M.McCarthy, S. DiStefano. 1-C. Lisee, K. McDonald, A. Henk
Conversions: M. McCarthy-5
Turning East Lansing Blue October 10, 2011
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This weekend the University of Michigan Women’s Rugby Team traveled to East Lansing to take on its in-state rivals Michigan State. After suffering several injuries amongst the tight five, UMWRFC saw rookies and veterans step up to fill several empty spots and defend the pride of the Michigan scrum. The game started out with UMWRFC dominating possession but struggling to find the try zone. One excellent opportunity came from a powerful maul off of a lineout set up by the forwards, which the Sir unfortunately ruled held up. Even with an impressive defensive effort by MSU, the Wolverines were able to move the ball out amongst the backs and score a try about 20 minutes into the first half. UMWRFC worked hard to maintain structure and communication throughout the game which yielded dividends while attacking space on offense. Mary McCarthy had an excellent kicking game that exploited the speed of our wings in chasing down those kicks for great field position. The backs were able to work in three more tries throughout the game, one coming from an excellent supporting run by rookie Aunnica O’Brien. Junior Ashley Henk also set up a great opportunity for the forwards after her pick up from behind a ruck resulted in a try.
The Michigan B-side also saw a victory against the green and white. Not only did the alumnae demonstrate that they still got “it”, there were also flashes of brilliance from our rookies that we are excited to see develop fully. Despite having a very young team the Wolverines are showing vast improvement with each game. We can’t wait to see which new players shine next weekend as the team travels to West Lafayette, IN to face Purdue.
Final score: University of Michigan 36- Michigan State University 5
Tries: M. McCarthy 4, A. O’Brien 1, A. Neuharth 1
Conversions: M. McCarthy 3
Hail to the Victors!
Michigan Ranked No. 8 by RugbyMag October 5, 2011
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Women’s DI College Top 25 – October 5, 2011
Original Story by Rugbymag.com
Excepts from RugbyMag article:
“The first iteration of the women’s DI college rankings is conservative. All of the teams that advanced to the national championships last year are listed and only one team that didn’t attend cracked the top 16.
The Midwest kicked off it season last weekend, and a thrilling game between Michigan and Notre Dame ensued. Michigan graduated the best team it had ever fielded last year, and they were certainly tested in their 24-20 win over last year’s DII finalist. Northern Iowa is looking as strong as usual, and has racked up 97 points while allowing 15 over two league games.”
Women’s DI College Top 25 – October 5, 2011
1 Penn State (4-0). Defeated Army 14-5
2 Army (2-0) (2-1). Lost to Penn State 14-5
3 Women’s Cougar Rugby (2-0). Defeated Utah Valley, Utah State
4 Navy (4-1). Defeated Brown 21-7, UVA 10-3
5 Virginia (8-1). Won Rucktoberfest, lost 10-3 to Navy
6 Stanford (n/a). idle
7 Brown (2-0) (2-1). Defeated Yale 85-0, lost to Navy 21-7
8 Michigan (1-0) (1-2). Defeated Notre Dame 24-20
9 UNC (1-1-1). don’t know 10.1 outcome, 3 games
10 UC San Diego (n/a). idle
11 Colorado (1-0) (5-1-1). Defeated Colorado State 29-10
12 UCLA (n/a). idle
13 Colorado State (0-1). Lost to Colorado 29-10
14 Northern Iowa (2-0) (3-0). Defeated Iowa State and Illinois 97-15
15 New Mexico (2-0). Defeated NMSU and Texas Tech
16 Dartmouth (1-1) (3-1). Lost to Brown 41-12, defeated Columbia 59-7
17 UC Davis (n/a). idle
18 Texas A&M (0-1). lost 39-0 to austin; missing round robin on 9.9
19 West Chester (3-0). Defeated Maryland, Delaware & James Madison 180-7
20 Princeton (2-0). Beat Radcliffe 26-14 in Ivies
21 East Carolina (0-1). Lost to PSU 74-15
22 Chico State (n/a). idle
23 Radcliffe (1-1) (5-1). Lost to Princeton 26-14
24 Notre Dame (0-1) (2-2). Lost to Michigan 24-20
25 SUNY Buffalo (3-0). Defeated Syracuse 17-15
Michigan Starts the Season With a Win October 3, 2011
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Today marked the official start to the University of Michigan Women’s Rugby season as they faced off against the Fighting Irish in their first league game. It was the first time these two teams had met and was a battle for the entire 80 minutes. The scoring started with the Wolverines after heavy defensive pressure and a charged down kick resulted in a try and conversion. The Irish were then able to put together several threatening offensive phases which yielded two penalty kicks after infringements at the ruck by Michigan. The Wolverines responded when Captain Stacia Simonsen scooped a loose ball up from the side of the ruck and dove over the line for the try. Notre Dame then capitalized on a disorganized Michigan defense as one of their backs broke the line and scored a try. After a successful penalty attempt Michigan went into the half leading 17-13. The first 20 minutes of the second half were spent on Notre Dame’s try line as their persistent goal line defense repeatedly held up the Michigan forward’s mauls. The Irish were able to hold off the Michigan attack and responded with a try of their own again from the backs. Finally, after a standout play on defense in the first half, rookie winger Dani Brace displayed her speed chasing down a high kick and running it into the try zone. Though messy at times, it was a great competition from both sides and a wonderful learning opportunity for the Michigan girls, rookies and veterans alike. Special recognition to the two players of the match, Captain Autumn Neuharth at Flanker and rookie Katie McDonald at second-five eighths who both had dominant performances on defense and offense.
Final score Michigan 24 – Notre Dame 20
