Williams at the ’17 DII spring championship / Photo: Jackie Finlan
The DII Gold Conference is underway and reigning champion UC Irvine began with a 43-17 win over UC Riverside. Irvine has returned many of the players who aided a deep playoff run last year, and two new coaches are readying the squad for another successful season.
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The school year started with some anxiety, as the team had to replace former head coach Andrew Mase. Fortunately, the local rugby community came through.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated coaching staff,” Williams applauded new head coach Emily Ogata and assistant coach Aileen McMurry, who join returning coach Arik Ozden. “Things are going well; each coach has something special to offer the team and they are working very hard to develop us as individuals and as a team with a competitive mindset.”
Securing that layer of leadership allowed the team to restart the momentum gained from spring 2017, when Irvine finished fourth at the USA Rugby DII College Spring Championship.
“Last year’s playoff run has provided us with the motivation to repeat that success and to go even further,” reported Irvine fullback Elona Williams, who serves as co-captain alongside flyhalf Selina Eich. “Since we are graduating 11 seniors this year, myself included, we have a competitive mentality and experience on the field, but we are also excited about training the next generation in high-level competition.”
There was no easing into the season, and UC Riverside matched Irvine’s try count in the first half. Flanker Emma Dixon accounted for Riverside’s tries (one was a penalty try), while Williams (2) and prop Carolina Dossi (penalty try) scored Irvine’s. Angela Lopez kicked two conversions for Irvine.
“The difference-maker in our win against Riverside was our halftime conversation,” Williams explained. “The score was 21-17, UCI, at the half but we really focused on adjusting our defensive discrepancies and that allowed our offense to flow more smoothly. It was truly a team effort.”
Irvine held Riverside scoreless in the second half, while Williams, Roxanne Sierra, Lindsey Thomas and Frida Avila scored, and Lopez added three more conversions.
“There’s lots of new talent to watch out for this year,” Williams considered the new players who took the field Saturday, “but I’d say to keep an eye out for winger Emiliana Gallardo. She’s becoming increasingly more confident in her speed and is very eager and willing to learn more about this sport that we all love.”
Irvine retakes the pitch this weekend against Occidental, while UC Riverside faces Long Beach State. Claremont College, which defeated league newcomer Mira Costa 54-12 Saturday (stay tuned for match report), will play USC in week two.