All photos: Chloe Trofatter
Michigan State knew it had something good brewing in Lansing. Numbers and recruitment were consistent, the club was well established and running smoothly, and then the Spartans played their way into the 2018 DI Fall College Championship playoffs. That achievement sparked conversations of upgrades, and the student-led club hired a head coach to aid a new era for the Big 10 team.
“We had a come-to-Jesus sit-down moment,” Michigan State captain Emily Krupp said of a turning point last fall. “What do we want for our club? Do we want to be in the more social bracket of things or capitalize on the dedication that these girls show all day every day? It was only fair to our teammates who are doing their absolute best to bring in someone who could give more knowledge than girls who have only played three years.”
The head coach search yielded Erin McGowan, former head coach and player for Detroit, the reigning DI Midwest club champion.
Photo: Chloe Trofatter
“We wanted to bring in someone with experience but who also understood us and the Michigan State culture,” Krupp said of the Michigan State alumna. “Erin was so excited to come in and help, and she has been integral in helping us develop as players and taking out team to the next level.”
McGowan is charged with approximately 40 players and leans on a core group of juniors and seniors to set expectations. Krupp highlighted the tight five in particular as a source of experience and leadership. Michigan State used to name four captains – two in the backs, two in the forwards – but this year, Krupp, who played inside center last week, is the sole captain this season.
The beginning of the semester focused on educating and integrating the recruits – a group of approximately 15 that Krupp described as very athletic and dedicated to learning. This time was also spent considering the game styles that would best highlight the team’s strengths. As the attack sorted itself, emphasis was placed on defense.
Photo: Chloe Trofatter
“Defensive pressure has been a really important focus for us,” Krupp said. “Sometimes we get a little flat-footed, but working with Erin, she showed us how to keep the intensity up and keep even pressure. That helped against Notre Dame.”
In the teams’ Big 10 season-opener, the Irish raced out to two tries and a 12-0 lead. Krupp again referenced that flat-footedness to which the team is sometimes vulnerable, but then the game leveled off in the second quarter.
“Overall, our games against Notre Dame are usually physical and intense since we’re so evenly matched, but they’re never dirty. It’s always a good sportsmanship game with Notre Dame and we’ve always appreciated that about them. We can drive it out on the field 100% but there’s mutual respect,” Krupp said.
Photo: Chloe Trofatter
The turning point occurred after the break, as the Michigan State defense began to assert itself. Krupp praised forwards Kennah Gray, Alysse LaRose, Kyley Maurer, Emilie Reinhardt, Sophie Lamphier for breaking off the scrum so quickly and pressuring Notre Dame’s 10. Starting flyhalf Megan Berkal and her replacement, Erica Schaeffer, brought that same pace to the fast-up defense and set the tone for the team’s intensity in contact.
“Another thing that kept us going was the positive mentality that Erin has drilled in us: We’re a wolfpack; we’re a family. And we’re going to be positive about it. Don’t yell at your teammates; odds are they feel worse about their mistake,” Krupp said. “And our sideline and reserves who didn’t make the 23 were so loud and so encouraging through the game. That kept us going.”
After try-trading throughout the second half, Michigan State put in back-to-back tries late in the game to seal a 29-17 win.
Photo: Chloe Trofatter
“It really helps our confidence going forward, knowing that we’re a solid squad,” Krupp said of the win’s significance. “But the conversation at the end of the day is, ‘You can hang with the big dogs so let’s keep going.’ The season has started on the right foot and the win’s lit a fire for what we can do this year.”
The game also provided insight into the younger class’s potential. Sky Chavez is an up-and-comer who, “has shown a lot of heart and dedication,” Krupp said. “We’re looking forward to refining her into a strong player.”
Allyssah Lanza had joined last fall and didn’t play in the spring, and looked good at the hooker position. The power player also scored a try for the Spartans. Maurer was recruited last spring and drew high praise for immaculate tackles and increased game understanding.
Photo: Chloe Trofatter
“Everyone’s getting a better grasp on the conceptual aspects of rugby, the systems we run, or the reasons behind calls,” Krupp said. “We want to be a team that can meet challenges as they’re presented. Is our opposition speedy like Indiana or Purdue, or physical like Notre Dame, or overall skilled like Davenport and Penn State? We want to be versatile and hold our own against anyone.”
In addition to the aforementioned teams, Michigan State will also play Michigan during the Big 10 season; although Davenport is a non-league match. The structure of the conference post-season is unknown – last year there wasn’t one to speak of – but the Spartans attend to return to the fall regional playoffs (Nov. 23-24) and keep upping their ranking.