By: Burke De Boer Sports Editor
The women’s rugby team saw its championship streak come to an end at the hands of Western Washington.
From 2014 to 2016, the Wolves three-peated as league champions. But a tougher 2016-17 season has seen Western Oregon fail to qualify for regionals to compete for their title.
But their season won’t be ending prematurely either.
“Because of how we played and were able to hold our own, we have been invited to play in the Small Colleges National Tournament in Southern Oregon,” said Maddi Fagnani, a junior lock who has also played half on occasion this season.
“We played with heart for the full 80 minutes, even when we had to play down two players,” said Madeline Turner, senior, president of the club. “I am very proud of my team and cannot wait to see how this club continues to grow.”
“Western Washington and us have been battling back and forth for four years,” Fagnani added. “This year just wasn’t our year. And that’s okay. Do you know why? We have beaten them with a majority rookie team the past two years. This year we are building our program up and will be fired up even more for next year.”
Wayne State College from Nebraska were last year’s Small Colleges Champions. The 2017 tournament begins April 1. Whether the two champions will face remains to be seen.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
