Photo courtesy Michigan State Women’s Rugby
The DI Big 10 concluded its second week of league play, which is divided into East and West pools. Three games occurred last weekend, but it was Michigan State’s 32-14 win over Indiana University (IU) that drew the most attention.
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“The last time our team beat IU in 15s can not be recalled, even by those with the most seniority on our team,” Michigan State captain Hannah Jung confessed. “With that being said, and knowing the caliber of rugby which IU’s program produces, this has been quite a triumph for our current team, and for those who played before us.”
Jung shares the captainship with Taylor Cowan, and they’re supported by vice captains Devin Milan and Alyssa Soules. The quartet is joined by 10 other veterans but it’s the newcomers – all 24 of them – that comprise the majority of the player pool. And while some have arrived with previous rugby experience, it’s the athleticism and desire to learn that has propelled the team.
“What I believe sparked our fire that day was the simple desire to win,” Jung explained. “We have been trying to re-shape our program for the past few seasons and have been implementing much more rigorous conditioning/training regimes to take our girls to the next level. Fitness played a huge role this match due to heat and numbers. Only seven vets took the field that day, which was a little nerve wracking considering we knew who we were up against. Our rookies really stepped up to the plate, put together all they have learned and played their hearts out.”
This season, Michigan State has speed, which was on display when capitalizing on defensive gaps and pulling away along the sideline or in the open field. There was extra room to be had, as Indiana was only able to travel with 13 players. The Redstorm has been regrouping since spring 2016, when the team withdrew from the DI Elite playoffs.
Jung, who directs the backs, led the scoring, while newcomers Sarah Michelson and Jolie Marshman added tries and several speedy breakaways. Returners Sarah Posa and Jolie Habashy also contributed to the scoring.
“The win against IU restored confidence in our players,” Jung concluded. “Everyone was able to see that working together as a family and one unit on the field affects the outcome of a game. And, I think that the win against IU has made everyone more eager to work hard and win against other opponents.”
Michigan State is currently 1-1 in the West pool, having lost its opener to Notre Dame. Saturday’s game marked Indiana’s first league game of the season after its September 16 match against Purdue was rescheduled for Nov. 4.
The Irish (2-0) remain atop the West pool, having defeated Purdue (0-1) 102-7 last weekend. Rachael Shey and Scout Muzikowski scored three tries each, while Grace McGurn (2), Sophie Asah, Melina Valencia, Margaret McDevitt, Tori Jones, Kaela Crowley, Mary Solokas and Fernanda Arjona also scored tries. Emma Shimek kicked 10 conversions and Asah added one two-pointer. Emily Riverman scored Purdue’s try, which was converted by Kirsten Kulich.
In the three-team East pool (Ohio State dropped out), Penn State (2-0) bettered Rutgers (0-1) 74-17. The Nittany Lions put 11 different players into the try zone, and many of those names in the box score are new ones. Maggie Carly, Madison Curtis, Corina Kaiser, Zhayer Legrand, Mindy McKeehan, Azniv Nalbandian, Claudia Norton, Whitney Richter, Katie Sayer, Alex Weisser and Ali Wicks all scored tries. Penn State followed the Friday league game with a friendly against NIRA’s Quinnipiac in Connecticut. The Bobcats won that game 36-27.
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