Women’s rugby to go to Elite Eight
With a 47-0 win over UC Santa Cruz in the Pacific Coast playoffs, the Utah State women’s rugby team qualified for a trip to Bowling Green, Ohio where they will compete in the women’s collegiate Division II Elite Eight April 17.
After going undefeated in the Utah Union league, the Ags were given a No. 1 seed in the Pacific Coast playoffs, providing them with an opportunity to play on their home field against Santa Cruz, something players said gave them a big advantage.
“We’ve had trouble at tournaments on the road,” said club president Rachael Dennis. “This is where we practice and we’ve played very well on this field.”
A potent Aggie offense dominated the first half. Lindsey Lovell, Cassie Gordon, Brooke Lambert, Carly Smith and Bryn McMillian all scored for the Aggies before the midway point.
“Everyone stepped up and played,” Dennis said. “I don’t think Santa Cruz was expecting us to be the team that we were.”
In the second half the Ags didn’t let up, notching a try by Tara Earl and two tries by Natalie Zollinger. Lambert also completed a conversion kick to go along with scoring her second try of the game.
“We kept the intensity up the whole game,” Dennis said. “It wasn’t a matter of just showing up. It was a matter of scoring. That’s what we did against BYU and that’s what we’re going to try to do in Ohio.”
Dennis said she credits the team’s offensive and defensive efforts, but said the shutout was mainly a result of Santa Cruz’s performance.
“Our defense played well,” Dennis said. “But [Santa Cruz] just kind of lacked offense.”
The team now advances to the Elite Eight playoffs in Ohio, where Dennis said they will face some of their toughest competition of the year, starting with a first round match-up against Temple.
“We don’t really know what we’re up against,” Dennis said. “It’s going to be a surprise, but we have a good chance. This is the best team I’ve ever played on here. Everything’s coming together.”
But before they can overcome opponents in Bowling Green, the Ags must overcome some difficult financial obstacles. The club is currently accepting donations through the Club Sports office.
“We’ve been getting an outpouring of help since we beat Santa Cruz,” Dennis said. “It’s been really great to see the community get behind us.”
To offset the remaining expenses the team will incur by traveling to the Elite Eight, the Aggies plan on holding a fundraising car wash Friday.
By earning a spot in the Elite Eight playoffs, Utah State became the first women’s rugby team from Utah to ever earn a spot at nationals.
-acf@cc.usu.edu