Showdown vs. App State

Across the south, matrix season is starting to wind down.  Final games will be played over the next couple of weeks, and yet some of the winners have already been decided.  Many teams have already established themselves as the team going to regionals, but not here, not in the NC Dogwood Division.

Appalachian State was moved from DI to DII this year, creating a stir among the NC teams.  App played their first three games demolishing the competition, never allowing more than 7 points scored against them in one game.  UNC Charlotte has done the exact same thing.  The two teams will face off in the final matrix game on Saturday February 25 11am at App.  There is no real history between the teams, the last time they faced off was in the fall of 2009 when UNC Charlotte was first starting out.

Going into Saturday, both teams are tied in points for matrix, so the winner of this game, takes it all.  The winner goes to regionals, the winner represents NC for the south, the winner gets the glory.  And the loser, well the loser just gets to stand back and watch.

Both teams have something to prove.  Appalachian State is proving its ability after moving to DII.  Charlotte is proving it belongs back at Nationals.  If you skipped a game or two this season, waiting to watch some action, this is the game you want to see.  This is the game we'll be talking about for years to come.

Kickoff: 11am on Saturday February 25, 2012

Location: Kidd-Brewer Stadium 270 Stadium Dr, Boone, NC 28607

Last Home Game

This is just our second matrix season.  Our first spring we only had 6 players, our second we were developmental - we played matrix games, but they didn't count.  Last year was our first official season, and we went to Nationals.  This year we hope to go back to nationals, but it also marks a huge year for us.  Our seniors have been with us from the beginning.  They have been together through all the ups and downs for all the years of this team.  Saturday is our third game of matrix, but it is the last game our seniors will play at home. It is the end of our beginning.

Please join us in supporting their love for the game and the team, support their dedication to our success.  Join us for our third match of matrix season Saturday February 11th at 3pm on the Charlotte Rugby Pitch against Elon University.

 Charlotte Rugby Club 2911 Bellhaven Circle Charlotte NC 28270

Update on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:06AM by UNCC Women's Rugby

The wind was fierce, and by the time the game was over it was 35 degrees out.  But that didn't stop the Charlotte ladies from bringing home another win 47-7.

Game 2: HOME GAME vs. UNCG

Our second matrix game of the season will be in Charlotte on February 4th against UNC-Greensboro.  As our university pitch is under construction, we will be travelling across town to the Charlotte Rugby Pitch.  Please join us for an 11am kickoff!

Charlotte Rugby Club 2911 Bellhaven Circle   Charlotte NC 28270

Update on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 6:38PM by UNCC Women's Rugby

Mud and rain always make for an interesting game. The cold just make it even more fun.

 Again, we started with a plan, and went to work.  Within 2 minutes, rookie full-back Danielle Moore showed more understanding of the game and scored her first try ever.    Minutes later Meghan Bradsher scored from outside center.  Greensboro rallied after the second try and ran us back to defend our try line.  After 10 minutes of hard work, they finally pushed through to score.

Charlotte realized that they would have to play defense in addition to offense during this game.  The rain and mud made for slick balls and lots of knocks.  Every scrum was a fight to the finish as Greensboro got low and pushed hard.    We fought hard defensively with major hits from Sydney Small, Stacie Rembert and rookie Liz Oliver.  We took control of the game and started to communicate, which allowed for a couple 30 and 50 yard runs - bringing in trys from Liz Alliss, Rise Shine, Dominique Williams and Meghan Bradsher.

At the end of the day - we walked off the field never letting Greensboro on the scoreboard again.  The final outcome 56-5.  Two games down, two to go.  Matrix isn't over and it will only get tougher from here.

MVP: Liz Alliss

Pack Player of the Game: Sydney Small       Back Player of the Game: Meghan Sydney

Defense Player of the Game: Stacie Rembert     Offense Player of the Game: Rise Shine

Friendly vs. College of Charleston

Last winter, UNCC faced the College of Charleston in the biggest battle of the Matrix season.  The team that won would go on to regionals, UNC-Charlotte barely scraped by with a 17-15 win.

Saturday College of Charleston travelled back to Charlotte to play a fall friendly game.  While the outcome did not matter as much as it had in the past, both teams wanted the win.  Charlotte fought hard and wouldn't allow any tries by CoC.  The final score 31-6, UNCC won by a much wider margin than 8 months ago.

MVP: Nicole Floersch

Pack Player of the Game: Victoria Ellis   Back Player of the Game: Dominique Williams

Defense Player of the Game: Maddy Clark Offense Player of the Game: Courtney Jessamy

vs. UNCG

When you put a lot of players in new positions, it can go very good, or very very bad.  Luckily when UNCC stepped on the field in Greensboro, they didn't care what position they were in, they were ready to play.

It took a few minutes for everyone to get their bearings, but 8 minutes into the game we used our assets and Meghan Sydney ran 50 yards to score the first try.  Minutes later scrumhalf Christina White was also able to score a try.  

Scrums were not our best, especially when the hookers from both teams had both feet on the ball - but we pushed through. We were able to get the ball out to the backline and Courtney Jessamy was able to score a try.  UNCG finally rallyed and used penalties to their advantage.  They were able to put up two tries before Meghan Sydney ran them down again for her second try. 22-10.

Communication made the game and Christina White was also able to score again.  UNCG came back for one last try making it 27-17 before Meghan Sydney put an end to it and ran in for another two tries.  In the last minutes of the game, the ball went to Liz Alliss in the backline and she ran for 40 yards.  5 yards from the tryline she started to go down but got the ball out to Courtney Jessamy for one last try.  Final Score 42-17.

Thank you UNCG for hosting us and providing a game everyone could enjoy.  Next week we play College of Charleston at home, it will be a tough one.  Come watch!

MVP: Victoria Ellis for being at everything offensive and defensively

Pack Player of the Game: Anjee McNary, for rocking a new position and pushing thru those rucks!

   Back Player of the Game: Meghan Sydney for making 4 tries.

Defense Player of the Game: Dominique Williams for making every tackle even when others missed.

Offense Player of the Game: Liz Alliss, for making runs up field in a new position.

Broken Curse

One would think a team as young as we are wouldn't have curses already, but that is the way Rucktoberfest feels.  Two years ago we went to Rucktoberfest as a rookie team and lost every game, but never expected much.  Last year we attended Rucktoberfest with a little more enthusiasm, but couldn't pull out a win (although later in the season, we came back and beat each team individually).  This year we had high hopes going in, until we saw our competition.

Competition is good for the soul.  Tough competition shows you where your faults are and what you need to work on.  Being the only division 2 team out of eight  in a tourney is a whole different level of competition.

Appalachian State, East Carolina University, James Madison University, NC State, University of South Carolina, and UVA (a & b side) all travelled to Boone NC to play in this year's Women Only Rucktoberfest Tournament.

The brackets were divided and we would be playing ECU, UVA, and NC State on Saturday. 

At 9:30 on Saturday morning we started with a little rain, some sleet, and a lot of snow.  ECU was quick to get on the scoreboard and were up 7-0 within the first 10 minutes.  Winning majority of the scrums, Christina White was able to get the ball to  flyhalf Dominique Williams who was able to then break through and score a try.  7-7.  Pouring snow makes for a lot of dropped balls and knock ons.   Scrumming is something both teams were good at, but hooker Maddy Clark won almost every one for UNCC.  Again off a scrum, an 8 man pick to the weak side by Liz Allis brought us our second try.  Unfortunately it was near touch so a kick in the sideways snow didn't make it.  7-12. In the last scrum of the game, again we

 won it, but the ball slipped right through our scrumhalf's hands providing opportunity for ECU's scrumhalf to pick up the ball.  ECU passed out quickly and was able to score a try and their kick, bring the final score 14-12.  A tough loss.

A two hour break gave us time to attempt to dry off, just so it could rain again.  At 12:30 we went up against UVA A-side.  UVA was ready and waiting to pound away at us.  With more experience in organization and communication, UVA had no problem putting up 5 tries to our none.

With a 10 minute break between the UVA game and NC State, we could not get our team back together.  NC State was able to use our exhaustion and defeat against us to put up 2 tries in the first half.  During the second half we finally started to play our game again, and fullback Nicole Floersch was able to score a try.  At that point it was too late as NC State was still able to put up another one.

Sunday brought clear skies and a new team to play.  The brackets were not just based on winners, but also points.  We started our morning playing USC at 11am.  Both sides were plagued with multiple injuries from the day before, but we were still able to put together a good team.  We decided to startover.  Play our game, knowing if we didn't get frustrated or over run, we could pull off a win.  The ladies just wanted it worse sunday morning.  Liz Alliss scored again from a substitution role at outside center.  Jessica James drove through and scored off a penalty. Meghan Bradsher was able to score from inside center.  The gamecocks were able to score two tries, but it just wasn't enough to take us out.  UNCC walked away with a win, and a chance to play for the third place title against ECU.

ECU- The same team we had lost by a kick to in the snow.  

At 1:30pm we took the field ready to play our hearts out.  We had finally won a game at rucktoberfest, and now we could even go for third!  ECU beat us to the scoreboard, 5-0.  But we quickly came back and drove up the field for a try by rookie Alex Spaugh.  5-7

ECU was not going to go down easy and snuck around the outside for another try.  We decided to mimic their try with one of our own by wing Raelyn Jehlik.  Score 10-12.  In the end ECU was able to put up one last try in the last 3 minutes of the game bringing the final score 15-12.

While we have always lost at rucktoberfest, the competition was fiercer this year than it has ever been.  Thank you to all the teams that went and to AHO for hosting.  We are grateful our curse is broken, and we will be back next year.

UNCC vs. Chapel Hill

In college rugby, the fall is used to train new players and the season is set by the individual teams.  The first game of the fall is supposed to be against an easy team so you can teach your rookies without a lot of pressure.  Unfortunately - or fortunately - depending on your view,  no one easy wanted to play us early in the fall.  UNC-Chapel Hill was the only team willing to take us on.  

Chapel Hill is a D1, top eight school.  We are top eight, but in D2.  We knew on the first day of practice that we would have our work cut out for us.

Chapel Hill brought 46 players to our 26 and the game was set with 4 20minute quarters.  The goal of both teams was to have a scrimmage where everyone could play.  Mean Green wanted to teach not only the rookies, but Carolina that we are as good as they are.

The first quarter started off as a show down, UNCC scored two tries off the backline, but wasn't able to make the kicks.  UNCC dominated both the lineouts and the scrums, making it easy to pass the ball off to the backline.  Carolina was good on the tackle, and quick to poach the ball long before a ruck could be set.  Carolina quickly put in two more tries, and made their kicks!  Carolina was up, but not for long.  UNCC got it together and started to communicate on the field. We turned the game around with three more tries to win the game 27-14!

MVP: Maddy Clark, for keeping her cool and leading the team

Pack Player of the Game: Anjee McNary, for all the tackles & runs

   Back Player of the Game: Rise Shine, for playing every position, making every tackle, and those runs!

Defense Player of the Game: Jessica James for being at every ruck and taking those down who needed it.

Offense Player of the Game: Meghan Bradsher, for communication and the amazing runs.

 

Thank you to the Charlotte Men for hosting our game and Carolina for traveling to play us!

The Season has Arrived

It's that time of year again to brush off your cleats and head out to the pitch.  New members and old will begin with the basics and progress into being the best athlete's we can be.  This is going to be the greatest, hard hitting year UNCC's ever seen!  Last year, with it being our first competing year, we made our mark at national's landing us in the top 10 of the nation, and this year we're aiming for the #1 spot.  So if you're ready for hard work and dedication, as well as meeting new people who will become family , come on out to the practice fields starting August 30th from 6-8pm.  Don't forget your mouthguard!

Practice(Beginning August 30th):Every Tuesday and Thursday from  6-8pm 

Location: New Rec fields on John Kirk 

Season Ends in Elite 8

It has been a long, hard road this year, but the team ended their season as a part of the Elite 8 in the Nation.

Washington State University forfeited the Sweet 16 game, giving UNCC a leg up.  On Sunday April 17, we played Stonehill University in a battle for the final four.  Stonehill has been to Nationals three times in three years and their experience showed.  The game was much quicker than what we are used to.  While we held Stonehill 10-0 in the first half, their speed of game ran us over in the second half. 

It has been said before, but to reiterate, making it to Nationals in your first matrix season, and only your second year over all is amazing.  To go out and play a team with more depth and experience is hard, and provided a great learning experience.  Every lady played a great game, and came off the field wanting more.  Our goal was to make it to Nationals this year, we succeeded!  Next year our goal is the final four.  

Thank you to all who supported our team this year!

Going to Nationals

In 10 days, UNCCharlotte Women's Rugby will make history by playing in the DII National Sweet 16 Playoffs.  We will be traveling to Austin Tindall Regional Park in  Kissimmee, Florida.  

As we are such a new team, we are having to fundraise every dollar to attend this national event.  Two weeks ago we went to Alabama for regionals, and it took all we had.  Right now we are working on several events to get to Florida.  Please help us by attending one of these events, or clicking Donate on the left of this page.  If you are looking for a tax deduction, you can go to www.unccrugby.org as the alumni association is a 501C-3, just be sure to make a note that it is for the women's team.

Thursday April 7th, 10:00am-4:00pm: Bake Sale at the Student Union on Campus

Saturday April 9th, 8:00pm-10:30pm: Fundraiser at Tilt on Trade : 127 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC

Sunday April 10th, Noon-5:00pm: Car Wash at Tire Kingdom 7918 N Tryon St, Charlotte NC

Thursday April 12th, 10:00am-4:00pm: Bake Sale at the Student Union on Campus

Thursday April 14th, 10:00am-4:00pm: Bake Sale at the Student Union on Campus

 This team has come a long way from it's humble beginnings two years ago.  To go so far so fast is amazing.  UNCCharlotte Rugby is finally making their place in the world and has gained press from Rugby Magazine!  Please help us continue on our path!

"We were impressed with how UNC-C handled Lee University, especially after its 21-10 win over Kennesaw State, a team that had played Lee to a 30-26 loss during the conference finals. Charlotte's performance earned them a spot on the Top 25 (national ranking)." ~ Rugby Mag