Boston College

Women's Rugby Club

Newsletter

Volume 1 Issue 1

4/22/2009


Fall ’08 Season Recap

The Boston College Women’s Rugby Club experienced a very successful fall season, ending with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses.  Wins came against the University of Rhode Island, Wellesley, Babson, Southern Connecticut, and Boston University.  We had one regular season loss against Stonehill.  Our regular season record took us to playoffs, where we faced a very tough opponent, the University of Vermont.  Though we did not make it past UVM, we played a great game, and our sights are now set to make it back to playoffs in the fall!!

 

  

 

 

Spring ’09 Season Schedule and Results

  

 

 

Alumni Game

Boston College Women’s Rugby is excited to host its annual Alumni game this Sunday, April 26th, following our 1pm match against Wellesley! The match will take place on our home field at St. Johns, and we would like to invite all alumni, parents, and friends to join us for an afternoon of rugby followed by a BBQ. Questions? Contact our Alumni Secretary, Veronica Smith, at: smithmyz@mail.bc.edu

 

 

 

BC Bests ‘Best of the West’

On April 18th, the BCWRFC participated in UMASS-Amherst’s yearly ‘Best of the West’ tournament, which featured Division 1, 2 and 3 teams from surrounding area colleges. An incredibly committed team, the BC women were the first to arrive and the last to leave the UMASS pitches; this continued dedication well represented by the squad’s 3-1 record in tournament play.


The BCWRFC began the day with a well-played match against Mount Holyoke, which ended in a 29-0 score. Although the Holyoke women were tough, it was apparent early on that the hard-work and training done by the BCWRFC would prevail in the end. Returning players Erika Hernandez ‘11, Liz Flood ‘10, Adelyn Smith ’11, Mayra Cardoso ’12 and Caroline Pepek ’11 all scored tries; fullback Erika Hernandez converted 2 of the tries.


In the second match, the BC women lost to Trinity College 5-10 in a hard fought match. The BCWRFC jumped to an early lead on an excellent try scored by rookie back Katie Ahlers ’12, but could not hold the lead as play continued; Trinity answered with two quick tries before the end of the first half. For the remainder of the match, the BC women held Trinity at 10 points with excellent defense and smart ball handling.


After a quick lunch break, the BCWRFC beat UConn “B” in a spectacular 31-0 win. Returning backs Alia Verner ’12 and Caroline Pepek ’11 each notched a try while center Mayra Cardoso ’12 scored 3. Erika Hernandez again worked her magic by converting 3 of the 5 tries. The backs, however, would not have been able to score were it not for the incredible scrumming power of the forwards; a dominant pack, the BC women drove back UConn “B” on more than one occasion.


In the final match of the day, the BCWRFC matched up against Mount Holyoke for a second time. Fired up about their loss earlier in the day, Mount Holyoke came out strong in the first half, showing their power in the scrums and rucks. The BC women responded with tries by returning players Morgan Harris ’09 and Megan Krakowiak ’12; rookie forward Joan Kwiatek ’12 notched her first try in a fantastic push through the Holyoke back line. The BCWRFC ended the day with a 15-0 win over Mt. Holyoke.

Coaches

 

 

 


 Rookie Corner

After a tremendous effort by our recruiting secretary, Caroline Pepek, this season twelve rookies were recruited to our already strong group of freshman from the fall:

The girls played in their first match on March 28th against URI, and traveled with us to the Best of the West Tournament. From the sounds of their hard hits and from their smailes coming off the pitch, they seem to be enjoying rugby! Good job girls! Keep up the good work!



 

For Confused Parents: What is Rugby?
A Brief Introduction

Rugby is played in the form of a match, held on a pitch, with two teams of 15 players each.  Each team consists of a set of forwards and backs.  Forwards generally act as the defense and are the ones that form the scrum or do the lineouts, while backs tend act as the offense and are generally the ones that stand in a staggered line and move the ball forward.  Forwards include the positions of hooker, prop (2), second row (2), flanker (2), and eight-man.  Backs include the positions of fly half, inside center, outside center, wing (2), and fullback.  The scrum half acts as a kind of intermediary between the backs and forwards. 

A match lasts for two forty-minute halves, or eighty minutes total, and begins with a drop kick.  Should a team score, it is called a try, which is worth 5 points.  They scoring team then kicks for a conversion, which is worth 2 points. 

 

 

Rugby Fun Fact
Famous rugby players (just to name a few):
Sean Connery, John F. Kennedy, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush,
Russell Crowe, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, Ernesto “Che” Guevara

 
 

An Active Volunteer Community
As members of the BCWRFC, we are not just active on the pitch; we are also active in the community, giving back whenever we get the chance.  This past season, many members of the team participated on the “Club Sports Team” for Relay for Life, held at BC during February of 2009.  Our team helped to raise over $6250 through donations and t-shirt sales that contributed to Boston College’s $110,000 donation to the American Cancer Society.  Team members also participated in an annual BC event, Dance Marathon, which raises money for the West End House Boys and Girls Club.  Additionally, many of the girls volunteer with Boston organizations and schools such as Samaritans Suicide Hotline, Garfield Elementary School, and the International Refuge Center, as well as through many Boston College volunteer programs such as 4Boston, Pulse, Appalachia Volunteers, and the BC Ireland Service Immersion Trip.  It’s a wonder we find time for rugby and schoolwork! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fundraising and Donations

The women of the BCWRFC put a great deal of effort into fundraising for every season.  Some examples of expenses for the team include NERFU, USA Rugby, and referee dues; transportation to and from games; and supplies.  While Boston College does allocate funds to each club sport, the team relies heavily on outside fundraising to compete.  In the fall, the team hosted the premiere of the movie Forever Strong, making more than $1500, as well as hosting a bake sale on campus, during which we raised over $350.

If you would like to make a donation to the BCWRFC, please visit http://agora.bc.edu/bcfund/give (and under “other,” fill in “Boston College Women’s Rugby Club”), or send a check, made payable to the Boston College Women’s Rugby Club, to:
Boston College Women’s Rugby Club
Flynn Recreation Complex
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Donations are welcome in an effort to supplement fundraising efforts.  Thank you for your support!

 

 

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