50 Shades of Rugby

UCWRFC has been so busy securing our spot in the Top 5 Teams in the nation that we just flat out forgot to write an article last week, so prepare yourself for enough information to hold up a scrum in this week's article. Two hot-to-trot Saturday's ago, your favorite rug-boats tackled their way to the top to beat Ohio University in a 61-0 blowout! Try scorers included Sami Harrell, Hailey Tippett, Allison "Jimbus" Kossen (2), Morgan Correll, Mary "Chewy" Chura, McKenzy "Mac" Connelly (3), Maria Torok, and Emily Koslovsky. Of course our very own Jess "Mango" Sang booted in a solid 6 points to put us even further ahead, as well. Players of the Match for the OU game were Maggie Sweeney and Mac! Mac scored the most beautiful hat trick we have ever laid our eyes on, and even sacrificed her foot in doing so (RIP). "Mac demonstrated that she can keep cool under the pressure of being the scrum half with beautiful passes," Capitan Abby "Woody" Lowman explained. Mac is a first year student at UC studying Digital Media Collaborative and is involved in Bee Keeping Club and Colleges Against Cancer outside of rugby. "I started playing rugby in high school just to try something new and fell in love with it," she says. "When I found out UC had a team, I couldn't wait to join."

Sweeney took charge of the scrums and showed tons of confidence while using her voice on the field and taking charge with quick penalties. Sweeney is a first year Biological Sciences/Biomedical Studies Major at UC. "I've played [rugby] since my freshman year of high school, and I love the teamwork and fun involved," she says. Last Saturday, UCWRFC booted up to face former conference rival Eastern Kentucky University. After a long match, UCWRFC came out on top with a 60-5 lead with tries scored by Justine Perl (3), Maddy "Conk" Conklin (2), Morgan Correll, Jess "Mango" Sang, Chewy, and Sami Harrell, with 5 conversions put onto the scoreboard by the legendary Justine Perl (duh). Players of the Match for the EKU game were two of our very own rookies, Alyssa Powell and Kiley Lovejoy! Lovejoy has improved DRASTICALLY from her very first practice three weeks ago! She almost scored against EKU is a strong player that shows a lot of aggression. Lovejoy is a Business Management major entering her first year at UC. "I play rugby because being a part of the team with so many great girls makes every second playing so much better," she told us. "Going from gymnastics (non-contact) to rugby (full contact) has definitely been a big jump, but now I know that I love rugby and tackling, and I'm glad I joined the team. No regrets."

Powell has also shown tons of improvement from the beginning of the season to now, and showed off some impressive tackling skills during the game as well as some consistent passing. Powell is a first year student at UC planning on studying Communications. "I play because I can't say no to a pretty girl and one told me to play last year, and because I love everything about [rugby]: the intensity, the physicality, and the competition. Plus I get to spend time with a goofy group of people."

Great job rookies! Tomorrow UCWRFC will duke it out with Marshall University at 11am at Brimelow Fields to keep our ranking as 4th in the nation. #rug #babes