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The Spectator
Undefeated Women's Rugby Wins State Championship
by Erin Hoener '10Managing Editor
In just their second season in Division II, the Hamilton College Women's Rugby Football Club dominated its way through the regular season undefeated and clinched the New York State Division Two Championship on Saturday.
The HCWRFC worked long and hard this season with the goal of clinching their first Division II state title.
"I think the women who came out to play this year have put their whole hearts into this season. Everyone is invested in this team, and play the game because they love it, and that is why we have done so well this season," said co-captain, Jocelyn Bos-Fiser '10.
Co-captain Stephanie Ryder '09 agreed. "In the past, the team was about 50 percent athlete, and 50 percent girls who just wanted to come to the parties. This year, all of the girls on our team are committed athletes."
As a byproduct of the common misconception of rugby in general as a "party sport," one might not know just how committed the HCWRFC has been this season, players said "We practice for two hours every day of the week," explained Ryder '09. "We go for long distance team runs, lift in the gym, have team dinners in commons, and get patched up by the training room, for which we are forever grateful! We're not asking to be regarded as varsity athletes, but wish that more, even some of our friends, could just respect us as student athletes."
To make it to the State Championship game, the Continentals first had to get through a tough semi-final round at home against Buffalo State University on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The semi-final game was played in conditions far from ideal – the temperature hovered around 45 degrees and the rain did not let up at any point during the match. While Hamilton went into the game confident, Buffalo gave an early scare, scoring two tries and connecting both try kicks right away. This put Hamilton down 14-0 just a few minutes into the game. Fortunately, Hamilton was able to bounce back quickly, scoring two tries of its own to tie the game at 14.
Kate Fillon '10 played a crucial role in Hamilton's turn around, connecting on both of the first two try kicks from very far outside, and then scoring a very impressive third try, which seemed to give Hamilton the boost needed to dominate the rest of the match. The final score of the game was 36-14, with tries scored by Ryder '09, Hillary Keating'10, Fillion and Danielle "Motors" Mortorano '11, who scored for the first time in her collegiate career. As an added bonus, first year Hamilton Coach Amanda Benoit is a recent alumnus of Buffalo State.
In stark contrast from the semi-final game, November 1, when Hamilton hosted the State Championship game, proved to be one of the most gorgeous days of the fall. Also in contrast with the semi-final game, it was Hamilton that took control of the game very early on. Within the first five minutes of the 40-minute first half, Hamilton scored two tries. Hamilton maintained control of the game, allowing Canisius to score just one try, with a final score of 22-5. Hamilton scorers were Lesely Ryder '11, Mortorano, and Keating, who scored two tries.
Forth-year team member Amanda Schoen'09 summed up the day, "The state championship game was almost perfect all around - not too cold, a little bit muddy to help break your fall, and we scored the first instant we got the ball. We played a great game - one of the most fun ones I've seen. I'm really excited at all the progress we've made."
The State Championship victory versus Canisius qualified Hamilton for the Northeaster Regional tournament – a qualifier for the National Championship.
This weekend, the HCWRFC will head to Brunswick, Maine, for the Northeastern Regional tournament. Hamilton is ranked third out of four teams and is scheduled to take on No. 2 Norwich College at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. Win or lose, the ruggers will play again on Sunday to determine the final regional standings for 2008. If Hamilton defeats Norwich on Saturday, they will receive an automatic bid to the National Tournament in the Spring.
Hamilton will be facing their strongest competition of the season this weekend. However, according to the team, they are confident that victory is well within their reach. "I know this weekend is going to be new and tougher competition," said Meghan Herman '09., "but no matter what, I also know I could not be more confident and happy to be a part of such a great, supportive, and fun team!"