The Voice

Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: sports

The Women's Rugby Team, above, competed this weekend at Ursinus College in effort to capture the championship title. The team overcame Drexel University 19-5 to advance to the championship match where they fell short, 10-8, to University of Pennsylvania.

After a successful regular season, the Bloomsburg Women's Rugby team traveled to Ursinus College for their first playoff appearance since 2003. During their first game on Saturday against Drexel University, Bloomsburg won with a score of 19-5. The girls advanced to the championship game against University of Pennsylvania, but they were unable to capture the league title, falling 10-8.

In the Drexel game, Liz Crockett and Lindsey Walker shined for BU, each scoring a five points apiece. Michelle Hengy scored three penalty kicks and picked up nine more points. Crockett (scored one try) and Hengy (3-point penalty kick) were also positive spots in Sunday's loss. In honor of her performances in both games, Hengy was named MVP of the Easter Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU).

Co-captain Dana Quackenbush says no matter what the results were during the season, the girls remained excited and ready for an intense weekend of matches. "Our team came out very strong and ready to play on Saturday … on Sunday, we came out with just as much intensity, despite our sore and bruised bodies. I've never seen a team so pumped up for a game before this weekend and Sunday's game." She said that pre-game anxiety was evident, but they encouraged each other and many fans, including rugby alumni, attended the game to cheer them on.

Going into the playoffs, Drexel had the same record as Bloom. They were in a higher bracket in BU's division. In order to prepare for the game, the team increased their degree of intensity, trying to reach their opponents' level. Once game time came, Bloomsburg confidently hit the field. Once Drexel's frustrations were evident, they sunk under BU. "They started to get frustrated that they were losing and took it out on each other," Quackenbush explained. "We continuously encouraged each other and pushed each other to continue on. We played one of our best games of the season."

Sunday's game was bittersweet not only because of the loss, but because it marked the end of some of the players' BU rugby careers. "We played hard and with our hearts. We knew that it was our last game of the season (some of our seniors' last game), so we gave it everything we had. We didn't give up throughout the game; we played to the very last whistle with the same intensity that we started with. We lost by only two points to the best team in our division and despite the loss, we are very happy with our accomplishments."

With the fall season behind them, Quackenbush and the rest of the team anticipate a spring season that will prove just as exhilarating as the fall. In the spring, practices are still held 4-5 days a week, but it is more focused on rebuilding. BU travels to tournaments and plays about five non-league games, in order to improve their skills. Quackenbush said that the team will accept new members in the spring and hopes to obtain interest from a high number of girls.

"The spring season is a great time to join and learn the game." Anyone who wants to play rugby should keep an eye out for flyers announcing an informational meeting once the spring semester comes around.

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