Men’s and women’s rugby clubs return to action in Idaho.
After several weeks off due to byes and forfeits, the women’s rugby club will settle back into action and will play a doubleheader Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho.
The team will take on Idaho State University and the University of Nevada Reno at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in a doubleheader hosted by ISU.
“We came out strong against Salt Lake [last Saturday], but a three-week break had its effect and we suffered a disappointing loss,” captain Lauren Dreitzler said. “I think we’ll play well this weekend, because we’ve grown from our mistakes and can play to our strengths.”
The Aggies are used to playing more than one game any given Saturday as they usually compete in tournaments, and are confident heading to Pocatello, said inside center Becca Ogden.
“We should compete really well with ISU, the teams are evenly matched,” she said. “However, we’ve never seen Nevada play.”
Player Lindsay Lovell said last Saturday’s game against Salt Lake was a good warm-up for Saturday’s games.
“Since we played well against Salt Lake, it has caused our [team morale] to stir,” she said. “I think if we capitalize on our mistakes from that game, we should rebound well,” she said.
A regional conference game, the USU/ISU game will have an effect on the rankings of other conference schools such as BYU, Weber State, Salt Lake and Boise State.
The Aggies will be looking to boost their current record of 1-3 this weekend with an opportunity of two possible wins. Tough practices and increased stamina look to be beneficial for the team, Dreitzler said.
“Practice has been going real well and I can see improvement,” she said. “We are really getting back into our game.”
The USU men’s rugby club is following the Aggie women’s lead, and will head north to face ISU Saturday at 1 p.m. The Aggie men will look for their first victory of the season against the Bengals.
-bridget@cc.usu.edu