Simson Garcia | Sports Editor
The rugby ruck continued for the women’s rugby season, but ended on April 14, as the team pushed on to another trench match with Cal-State Monterey Bay. Despite the 15-5 defeat, the Wolves gave a copious amount of effort to where a few breakaway runs could have declared them divisional champions and an advancement into the next round of the small college rugby organizational tournament.
Senior lock Madison Fagnani spoke proudly of her team’s performance, “For some, it was only their second official rugby game, and they played their heart out. We communicated and trusted each other and played rugby. Our fullback, Brooke Kaylor, made some game-saving tackles.” Fellow leader of the team and forward Sabra Duarte also acknowledged the performance.
“Everyone went out and gave it their all for the whole 80 minutes. We seemed to keep up our energy pretty well throughout the whole game.”
The Wolves have had an eventful season in the lead up to the match. Their record stood at 7-3 and, in a season that’s spanned since early fall, they became battle tested having faced off with competitors such as Willamette University and division I school Eastern Washington. They derailed Willamette three times on the season, including a route of 48-5 on March 10, and got the best of Eastern Washington, 27-7, a week after on March 17. Both Eastern and Willamette were the two lone teams to defeat Western.
The wins were also part of a larger five game win streak that included two other blow out wins of 78-5, and 49-0.
“Our main goal is to get girls to fall in love with rugby,” commented Fagnani. “Rugby teaches you so much more than just how to play. It teaches you (both on and off the field) sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie. Our goal was to build a family and we did it.”
Their next opponent, Cal-State, were ever the formidable opponent. The game was an uphill climb for both teams to start as either team hardly got passed midfield. But a breakaway try put the Golden Eagles on the board first.
Both teams neared to the goal line several times in the second half. Western created initial ground in the half off Fagnani’s returned kick for a big gain, but Cal-State’s defense in the scrums and rucks prevented them from reaching closer many times over.
Finally, with 15 minutes left, Western broke through Cal-State’s rucks for their only try in the game.
After the game, Fagnani and Duarte applauded the teams play; “It was an awesome opportunity getting to play in California,” said Duarte, “It’s always exciting to see us hold our own against schools that are bigger than us and get more experience throughout the year.”
“Each one of us did something amazing on the field,” expressed Fagnani, “and the best part is that we are a rookie team (mainly beginner players). The fact that there are only minor issues to work on is amazing and that speaks loudly on our coaching staff Emily Applegate, Marissa Minato, and Sammi Williams. We will only get better from here.”
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
Photo by: Simson Garcia
