Charlotte won the 2018 Division II Club National Championship and then committed to the Division I East for the 2018-19 season. This new league merged teams from the Atlantic North, Mid-Atlantic and South into one competition, but Charlotte did not enter the season in its best form. A winless season followed. A lot of work – tactically, psychologically, emotionally – was accomplished in the off-season, and Charlotte returned to the league in better overall shape. On Saturday, the team beat the D.C. Furies 29-10 for its first-ever win in DI.
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After winning the DII national title, Charlotte entered a two-week period in which to qualify for club 7s nationals. That turnaround didn’t go well and two key injuries followed. Throughout the summer, people moved away and changed careers, and by the start of the 2018-19 season, the squad was missing nine important starters from the previous season.
“That was a challenge right off the bat – a big change in personnel,” Charlotte head coach Brad Richard said. “With nine key players missing, everyone was trying to relearn how to interact with each other, and with the introduction of a new stimulus in the physicality of Division I, the team noticeably struggled.”
Charlotte went 0-5 and took some heavy losses. There was disappointment but not a sense of defeat.
“It was definitely challenging but at the same time it was a decision that the team made. They wanted to experience better competition more regularly; it was the players’ choice,” Richard said of the team’s reaction. “No one was excited at the end of year going winless in Division I, but they were still hopeful and resolute that it wasn’t the end of the story. … There was no discussion of dropping down to DII.”
Instead, the team went to work and placed a lot of emphasis on defense to account for the uptick in physicality. There was a lot more self analysis, player assessments, more film, and check-ins during the summer to make sure everyone was in a good place. Discussions became more frequent, and players synced up their terminology and verbiage, so everyone was speaking the same language come game time. Charlotte also added an assistant coach, Alec Acosta, who is a Penn State alum and played for Charlotte during the Rugby Super League era. He coached the Nittany Lions women as well as the Charlotte men’s 7s team to nationals.
The team also returned some of its injured players and gained some relocations, padding the ranks with 6-8 players with veteran experience. The team also changed up its leadership structure, moving from a standalone captain to a four-person unit. The stressers that accompany a more demanding league are now dispersed between C.J. Jascur (tight five), Kelly Sager (loose forwards), Shannon Etherson (inside backs) and Jen Moser (outside backs).
Charlotte was in a better place than it was last year when the season began, and traveled to D.C. the Friday before game day for a team dinner and more bonding. Those connections showed themselves early (and late) in the match, as Moser scored from the wing six minutes in. Flyhalf Maddy Clark added the extras for the 7-0 lead.
“A lot of girls are very hesitant because of last year’s result,” Richard spoke to indulging too much optimism. “But as soon as we got that first try, there was a lot of positive talk, a lot of encouragement, and it clicked in that it was possible to be victorious in Division I.”
Flanker Kathryn Rupe scored before the halftime hooter and Charlotte took a 12-0 lead into the break. D.C. made some substitutions who drove a faster, more aggressive game, and two reserves – Lauran Glover and Arielle Reid – scored. Fellow sub Gloria Cho kicked the conversion for a 12-12 scoreline after 60 minutes.
“We got a big surge from all of our subs, and they all had a huge impact creating line-breaks and go-forward,” Richard said of a turning point. “They brought a lot of positive talk, which was a big focus for the team – productive, positive communication while on the pitch.”
Charlotte regrouped in the final 15 minutes, sending inside center Kirstyn Paynter, scrumhalf Elizabeth Gijon and fullback Amanda Watkins into the try zone. Clark kicked one more conversion for the 29-10 bonus-point win.
“The players actually identified that after the match,” Richard said of the importance of regaining control. “They were concerned when momentum swung to the Furies in the middle of the match that we might just relax and give up. But they showed good psychological and emotional fortitude. … For us to come back and dig deep and get the result in our favor – it was season-changing.
“D.C. are great hosts,” the coach added. “We’re super grateful to have quality competition because that’s what we were seeking. Every time we play D.C. they’ve been spirited on the field but no extracurriculars or overly emotional stuff. We’ve always appreciated that about them.”
It was a round, connected victory for Charlotte, but coach Richard did highlight a standout performer: wing Jen Moser.
“She played awesome,” the coach commended. “She’s had good experiences lately with the USA Rugby South Panthers, doing some different international tournaments with them. As she’s gotten more opportunities to play with other groups, as well as coaching high school girls rugby, she’s really continuing to grow. This game she took another step forward and started to lead by example – created a lot of opportunities and linebreaks for the team.”
Charlotte has two more games (Boston and Philadelphia) at home during the 2019 portion of the season, and then restarts league play in mid-March against DI East newcomer Atlanta. NOVA and Raleigh await in April.
“We’re taking the season in two-week blocks,” Richard said of managing the split season. “In terms of continuing the psychological preparation and everything, we’ll add a layer every two weeks, using this game as a foundation. You want them to peak by next April, which is challenging … ”
But Charlotte is familiar with challenges.
In other DI East news, NOVA beat Raleigh 27-7, and Boston defeated Philadelphia 29-5. For more info: DI East schedule and standings.
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