Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
The University of Maine women’s rugby team finished their season with a hard-fought battle against Wellesley College at Lengyl Field last Saturday. While the team fell by a score of 36-17, the team played hard, despite the loss of key players from the starting lineup.
Veteran and co-captain Kelly White was sidelined by an ankle injury that occurred in the previous week’s game against Bowdoin College. Along with White, sophomore starter Myrtle Nesin injured her neck in the second half against Wellesley. Sophomore Lindsey McKenna came in for Nesin and played strongly for the remainder of the game.
Despite the injuries and loss of several starters, the Black Bears played a hard game even though they failed early in the game. The team didn’t become discouraged and never gave up.
“Wellesley beat us last year in the playoffs, so we knew what to expect,” sophomore Kelly Heald said. “After playing together all season we have really learned how to communicate well and work together as a team.”
UMaine did have a balance of scoring with junior Emily Bennett and captain Victoria Passmore each adding to the score. The game raged back and forth and up and down, with neither team gaining decisive ground until Wellesley was able to make a few key plays.
“Wellesley managed to put a few things over us that we couldn’t answer to. Overall, it wasn’t our worst game; we played them better this year than we did last season, so that’s an improvement,” Bennett said. “They were by no means an unbeatable team; we just couldn’t capitalize on them. It’s the end of the season and our team is plagued with injuries and illness.”
Because this was an elimination game, the Black Bears will not be playing another game this season, but the team ended the season on a high note. They had new recruits and built a strong, dominant team. UMaine looks forward to next semester when they begin their quest for success. The team is the defending 2008 Maine Cup winners and hope to once again bring the cup back to Orono.
“I’m disappointed in the ending of our season because we only had one playoff game, but I’m hopeful for next year,” Bennett said. “We have an awesome group of rookies and the future of UMaine women’s rugby is bright.”
The squad finished 3-2 in the regular season and 0-1 in post-season play.
Bangor Daily News