Journey Begins

It's a crisp Saturday morning in January.  

For the south - it's the beginning of matrix season, and our first game is today at 1pm against Wake Forest.  Just because we have beat Wake in the past, doesn't mean they are a team to count out.  They bring a strong game and it will take our A game to win.

This is our first of four matrix games this winter, and we have to win them all to make it to regionals.  

Let's go MEAN GREEN!

Update on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 7:58PM by UNCC Women's Rugby

Even though we've beaten Wake in the past, we've always enjoyed playing them.  As our first game of the season, both teams were nervous prior to kickoff.  

When the whistle blew, UNC-Charlotte took control of the ball and never let up.  They followed their plan and came together as a team.  Even with new positions, Mean Green was ready for Matrix.  Liz Alliss scored the first try in minute 6 from eight-man off of a scrum.  Rookie flanker Jerolyn Madina wanted a piece of the action and scored 8 minutes later.  It seemed as if Charlotte never left Wake's half of the field.  Liz Alliss put a second try in before half time.

Short on subs, Wake Forest tried to regroup at the half, but they only got as far as the 20 before Charlotte took control again.  Tired of the pack having all the fun, the back line wanted in on the action and made some amazing runs up field.  Meghan Sydney scored twice from outside center.  Not to be left out Christina White scored off a lineout from scrumhalf.  And then to seal the deal, Liz Alliss scored two more tries.

One game down three more to go.  There is still work to do on this journey, but today we left it all on the field with a final score of 46-0.

MVP: Morgan Gales

Pack Player of the Game: Liz Alliss       Back Player of the Game: Meghan Sydney

Defense Player of the Game: Christina White     Offense Player of the Game: Dominique Williams

Win One, Lose Some

UNC Charlotte just returned from a whirlwind trip to College Station, TX for the National 7s Championship.  Being new to 7s, the team was honored to be invited and knew the experience alone was worth the trip.  Texas weather was chillier than we expected but it didn't stop the the team from playing every minute possible.

Charlotte vs. Cal

In an eyeopener of a game, we lost 0-24.  Cal later went on to win the Plate finals, placing them 5th in the tournament.

Charlotte vs. Santa Clara

A little experience goes a long way. Charlote won 22-5, with two tries by Liz Alliss, one each by Meghan Bradsher and Nicole Floersch.  Conversion by Maddy Clark.

Charlotte vs. Texas

Sometimes home state advantage works.  Texas won 10-27.  Charlotte tries were made by Meghan Bradsher and Maddy Clark.  Texas went on to win the bowl.

Charlotte vs. Arizona State

Again Charlotte lost 5-20, with one try by Courtney Jessamy.

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.

Alumnae Day

Thank you to all the alumnae who came out in support of Saturday's game.  It was a quick game as UNCC had three to play on Saturday.

The current team was slow to react at first, letting the alumnae score early on.  Alumnae thought they were set, when the current team remembered how to communicate and came back to score two more tries.  A learning game for rookies, everyone had a great time and all came out winners.

T-shirts supporting UNCC Women's Rugby are still on sale if you missed yours. They are $12.00 each (XXL are $15.00) with all proceeds going to the team.  Contact Murphy if you want one by email. 

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!

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!

USA Rugby South Women's DII FINALIST

Even in today's society, women still fight to prove equality.  We are looked at differently because of our size, speed, intelligence, and even attitudes.  Women have come a long way, but across the globe, battles are still being fought.

Unlike other sports, women who play rugby are held to the same rules and standards as the men, if not stricter standards.  No modification is made to accomidate the differences.  On the rugby pitch, we are equal.  Women tackle, scrum, and run for the full 80 minutes same as the men.

This past weekend 4 collegiate women's rugby teams converged on Mobile, AL to play for spots in the national sweet sixteen.  Lee University, Elon University, Kennesaw State University and UNC-Charlotte made the trip to ruck for what each thought was rightfully theirs.  Each team had won their own league in the South Conference and both the Champion and Finalist would emerge with seeding spaces.

UNC-Charlotte Women made history in just making the journey. Just two years ago the team was barely emerging into rugby with 6 players.  A year ago a full squad was winning it's first games.  Making it to Nationals, being a part of the sweet sixteen was a pie in the sky goal the team came up with 6 months ago.  It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to bring this team to where it is today.  

Kickoff was 1:30pm on Saturday.  It was hot, humid, and windy.  Lineout's and kicks were tough to control, but UNCC played it's own game.  Within 10 minutes the first try was scored by Christina White.  10 minutes later, Tabitha Shearin scored a try.  Both times Natalie Ricketts made the kicks, and UNCC was up 14-0.  The heat got to the team, and while fighting hard, KSU was able to score two tries leaving it 14-10 with 10 minutes to go.  UNCC got their act together and Meghan Bradsher broke through their backline to score a perfectly placed try.  Again, Natalie made the kick and the final score was 21-10.  UNCC had earned their right to Nationals.

Meanwhile, Lee University blew Elon University out of the water. With a final score of 81-0, Lee left the field to watch the end of the UNCC-KSU game.  

At 9am on Sunday, Lee and UNCC faced off to fight for seeding and the position of Champion verses finalist.  It might not have been as hot, but the ground was still wet and it made for interesting play.  Twice in the first 10 minutes, UNCC almost scored, but Lee wouldn't let it happen.  It was 25 minutes into the game before anyone made it on the scoreboard.  Lee brought it up to 5-0, and then shortly after 10-0.  UNCC was winning the scrums, and many of the rucks, but couldn't get their hands to control the ball.  It was well into the second half before they scored bringing it to 10-7.  Holding their ground, Lee scored again to end the game at 17-7.  The score doesn't come close to showing how good of a game it was.  Both teams played their best game and put their heart and soul into it.  Those who watched knew that in that moment, women were proving themselves to have just as good a game as the men.

Lee University earned the Champion title and #8 seeding in the brackets at Nationals.  They will be heading to San Diego CA for playoffs, and we wish them the best of luck.

UNC-Charlotte earned the Finalist title, #14 seeding and will be playing in Kissimmee FL on April 16th in the National playoffs.

Sunrise to Sunset on the Road

At 5am on Saturday, UNCC Women's Rugby loaded up the vans and headed to Atlanta to play Emory University.  Kickoff was at 11am. After practicing in 30-40 degree weather, the heat was the first thing we met when we arrived.

Heat and exhaustion from getting up so early should have been factors in the game, but determination to win was the only thing the spectators saw.  From the time UNCC Women hit the field, the game was ours.  Meghan scored the first try with in minutes of starting.  Two other try attempts taught us that there was hole just over the line and you had to hang onto the ball.  Communication and quick hands got the ball out for a try by Christina and then the first of Cortney's three tries.  We continued to dominate the game, teaching Emory that teams that travel are still ready to play.  We exited the field with a score of 42-5 and one step closer to our goal.

MVP: Christina White, for quickness on her feet and communication

Pack Player of the Game: Jessica, for being at every ruck and tackle.  Back Player of the Game: Meghan for making every tackle and great hands

Offense Player of the Game: Maddy, for running straight and leadership  Defensive Player of the game: Victoria, for breaking their backline