Women's Silver Lining Lies in Best Finish Ever

Author: Sally Hartman

The future of the women's rugby team looks bright - very bright. Although last Sunday marked the end of the squad's official season, the unity and growth that occurred throughout the course of the fall will continue under the guardianship of underclassmen who demonstrated potential in light of unfavorable conditions. UMass-Amherst played host to teams from across New England this weekend at the Regional Tournament, where biting wind, freezing rain and muddy fields dominated the scene. However, Old Man Winter was unable to dash the hopes of the Middlebury Panthers as they had just come off a thrilling and well-earned overtime victory over Worchester Polytechnic. In order to qualify for the Regionals, teams throughout the area first faced off in the New England Championships. Rising to the top amongst schools such as Castleton, Green Mountain and Keene State, the Panthers were able to advance to the next phase of what will end in the National Womens' Rugby Championships.

The first game of the weekend pitted the Panthers against an extremely well-coached Fordham University. Early in the game, Kate Nerenberg '05 was able to put the Panthers on the board with three points on a penalty kick through the uprights from 17 meters away. However, Fordham was able to rally in the waning minutes of the first half to score the first try of the game, giving them a two point lead over Nerenberg and her teammates. Later in the second half of the competition, Fordham was able to score twice more, securing a lead at 15-3. However, as Nerenberg pointed out, "The wind was a big factor. They [Fordham] had it the second half and capitalized on it." Fullback Johanna Riesel '05 commented on the shift in energy that allowed Fordham to slip by the Panthers by saying, "Middlebury dominated the first half, but Fordham was able to get their momentum going after that. We played well and fought hard, but we just couldn't get our momentum back."

After Saturday's defeat, Middlebury was slated against Rockport the following day in the tournament's consolation game. Without the pressure of previous matches, the women were able to relax, have fun and produce a heartfelt effort against their competition to cap off an extremely successful season. Led by Riesel, who racked up two tries, and her teammate Katie Hoeschler '04 who scored once, the Panthers again dominated the first half. However, the second half belonged to Rockport as they emerged from half-time psyched up and ready for revenge. Because it was the last game of the season as well as a consolation match, the team's tactics were slightly different than usual. "We were playing our younger players so they could get experience for upcoming seasons," Nerenberg said. "A lot of people are going abroad so there are going to be vacancies on the field, and this was a perfect time to give the girls some extra playing time." Riesel also emphasized the nature and significance of the game in saying, "It was more fun than anything else and a great way to end the season. The younger girls did a phenomenal job."

Riesel's remarks not only characterize the performance of the underclassmen on the squad, but they also reflect on the season as a whole. This year was the first time the Panthers won the New England Championships, and thus the furthest they have advanced in post-season play in the history of the club.

Even more importantly, with the New England victory the team qualified to play in Division II rugby next year, where they will face off against a whole new caliber of opponents with experienced, well-coached squads. Such competition can only serve to sharpen the Panthers' skills and heighten their drive as they continue to improve their young program. The team has long languished in the shawdow of the men's club, but can now set its own standard.

With upperclass leadership and underclass potential such as that exhibited this weekend, the Middlebury women's rugby club will certainly remain a force to be reckoned with.