By Pat Tintle
Staff Writer
Coming off of a 4-3 2012 season, the Bonnies have high hopes for their 2013 campaign. With the combination of new recruits and returning players, the team has made big improvements from a year ago, according to women’s Rugby Coach Tracy Schrems.
“We really didn’t lose anyone,” Schrems said. “We’ve been building for the last 10 years or so, and as our program grows, we’re hopefully going to be more able to recruit players into the women’s rugby team much like the men have.”
Returning so many players will have a strong impact in the upcoming season, Schrems said. She believes captains Laura Calamia (senior) and Laura Clesse (junior) will provide consistency and leadership for the team.
“We do have a number of girls coming off the bench that I also expect to make impacts,” said Schrems. “Amber Williams I expect will make a huge impact in the flank position, and I expect Julie Rodriguez to do the same thing.”
“It’s really another building year of girls sliding into positions to see who’s going to do what at which position and what fits them,” Schrems said.
The 2012 season ended with the Bonnies dropping their final two games and missing the playoffs by one point.
“Last season was last season, “stated Schrems. “I know what we did right, I know what we did wrong. As physical as rugby is, there’s a mental component that you need to have a handle on. The last two games were a complete mental breakdown before we even went into them.”
Going from New York State champions in 2011 to missing the playoffs was particularly frustrating for Schrems.
“You’re state champions one year, and you can’t even get into the league playoffs the next year, that hurts,” Schrems said.
The Bonnies’ first game in the season will be on Sept. 7 at the rugby pitch behind McGraw-Jennings field at 1 p.m. The team will face Buffalo, who finished in first place last year with a 7-0 record and placed No. 4 in the country.
“We’re playing them here in our own backyard,” Schrems said. “Do I expect UB to run us all over the field? Absolutely not. Do I expect to run UB all over the field? Absolutely not. But it’s going to be interesting.”
Having not lost a home match in over four years, Schrems is looking forward to the matchup.
“Home field advantage is huge,” said Schrems. “Because we’re a small school and everybody knows each other here, that’s one of the most important things. That kind of fan support and that kind of friendship and emotional support, you feel almost invincible. They’re coming to us, and there’s no other school like Bonaventure.”
tintlepj11@bonaventure.edu
