By Jonathan Sawyer
Assistant Sports Editor
The women’s rugby team is one win away from heading back to states and holding on to its title from last year. After graduating 13 girls last year, senior Captain Rachel Noone wasn’t sure if the team was going to have the experience to get back to states.
“Coming into this season, we weren’t sure how it was going to go because we weren’t very experienced” Noone said. “But everyone has put in a lot of work, and we seem to still have pretty good chemistry.”
A match against Hobart William and Smith College this weekend will determine if the team will head to states, said senior Captain Carley Doyle. Coming into the game in second place in their conference, a win would solidify the Bonnie’s chances of being the top two teams to continue on to the playoffs.
Being inexperienced is a tough aspect to the season said Noone.
“This season has been difficult because of our inexperience, and we don’t have as much help on the coaching front that we did last year.” Nonne said. “I also feel like teams are trying even harder to beat us because of our success last year.”
But Doyle feels that the chemistry has improved each week.
“Our team tries to improve every game on the things that we could have done better in the last game.” Doyle said. “We have also built up team chemistry since our season began.”
Noone was not expecting a season where she would see states again but is proud of her teammates for the determination they had.
“The expectations I had for the season were to have an average season, win some and lose some.” Noone said. “I feel like the team has definitely exceeded that. Having only lost one game and only returning about four starters is something I couldn’t be more proud of.”
Doyle, too, is excited for how the season has gone.
“Last year, we lost 13 seniors, so we didn’t know what to expect coming into this season with a completely new team.” Doyle said. “The new girls have worked extremely hard and have surpassed all of my expectations which has made this season very exciting.”
Having most of the freshman girls coming in experienced in rugby was a relief to the veterans on the team, said Doyle.
“For the first time, we have a large number of players who had previously played rugby in high school joining our team, which has made a tremendous difference,” Doyle said. “The experience of our veteran players and their ability to help the other girls develop their field sense and knowledge of the game is one of our biggest strengths.”
Being so close to nationals last year, Noone hopes to achieve that goal of getting past states and regionals and winning a national championship.
“My ultimate goal is to win a national championship. Last year, we were so close to going to nationals, and that was my motivation in the off season,” Noone said. “A short term goal would be repeating as state champs and moving on to regionals where hopefully we will win. It’s going to be tough, but I feel like everyone on the team wants it too and is willing to put in the work.”
Going into Sunday’s game with a record of 4-1-1, the Bonnies look to end their season with a win against at Hobart. The game will be at 12 p.m. at Hobart.
Sawyerjp15@bonaventure.edu
