Women’s Rugby dumped from Sweet sixteen by Washington State, rebounds to take consolation match against Lee.

Heading to the Sweet Sixteen for the second year in a row was definitely a different experience for this year’s women’s rugby team.  Last year, the team won both its games in Florida by a combined 110-13 en route to the DII championship game in California.  What a difference a year would make.  Trailing 24-7 at the half the Ladies were thoroughly dominated in the second half, losing shockingly 68-7 to the team from the Pacific Coast.  “I was as stunned as everyone else,“ commented Head Coach Derek Jenesky, “We were shorthanded going into the tournament, but that is no excuse.  We simply gave up in the second half.  It was tough to watch.” 

The first 40 minutes was a closely contested match, as Washington State led 12-0 before sophomore Emily Helming scored a converted try with 18 minutes to go.  The size and speed of the Lady Cougars continually wore down Stonehill, and two more late tries put the purple and black 17 down at the half.  The second half was one that the team would love to forget.  44 unanswered points and a host of missed tackles were the story, as the team was knocked out of the championship by a team that had joined them in the semi-finals a year ago.

“It has been a very frustrating spring for us,” continued Jenesky, “No one, including me, was focused enough to succeed in Florida.  If we are going to return next year, we will need a much better effort out of me and our upper classmen to lead this team where we want to go.”

On Sunday the ladies took on Lee University in a consolation match.  With nothing at stake, the ladies seemed much more relaxed, coming out on top 24-10.  Helming scored once again, Junior Laura Fischer scored twice and Junior Brit Roy added one of her own.  The win would bring the ladies  ‘09/’10 season to a close with a final record of 10-3.