Rugby women come out on top
Along with winning their first game of the season against Idaho State University, eight members of the Utah State University women’s rugby team were selected to try out for Utah’s national team.
The Aggies played at ISU Saturday, easily defeating Idaho 10-0, team captain Lauren Dreitzler said.
In the first half of the game the Aggies points came from Lynny Anderson, followed in the second half by Chelea Bluth’s first goal of her career.
The Aggies had eight players selected by different rugby coaches in Utah to try out for the Utah national rugby team on Oct. 12 and 13.
Those selected to play on the team will travel to San Francisco for the national tournament, with a chance to play on the professional rugby team, Grizzly Shield.
The Aggies chosen to tryout for the national team are Lauren Dreitzler, Jamia Gill, Jolynn Jones, Lindsey Lovell, Becka Ogden, Jamie Purcell, Rachael Ritchie and Courtney Sipherd.
For the Utah State University men’s rugby team the injuries and absences of six starters was too much to overcome when they lost to Weber State University 24-0.
Without team captain Brant Fletcher and starters Kevin Arrington, Matt Wise, Jeff Manga and Jeff King, the Aggies had to rely on their new players in an effort to get their second win of the season.
“Our new guys did all right, but they are still trying to learn the game,” Fletcher said.
But when starting player Shane Olsen went down in the first half with a broken leg just above the ankle, the Aggies could do little to stop the Wildcats, who scored 17 of their 24 points in the second half.
Fletcher said their tackling has been improving. He blames the loss on lack of team unity and a high number of penalties.