Sports

Rugby pushes through mixed start to season

By Alex Orlov ’13

Last Saturday the women’s rugby team put up an impressive fight against a strong team from SUNY Cortland. The final score, 19-31, did not reflect the drive and enthusiasm of the Hamilton women, who gained serious momentum in the second half of the game.

Students, men’s and women’s rugby players, moms, dads, grandmothers and dogs crowded the sidelines of Minor Field on a beautiful September afternoon. The Buff and Blue got off to a rough start when SUNY Cortland scored a try within the first five minutes of the game. Despite excellent tackles, scrums and runs, the Hamilton women did not manage to score during the first half.

Hamilton played a fast game, but the larger size of the Cortland women seemed to be an obstacle that the equally athletic but smaller Continentals could not surpass.

After half-time, Hamilton lit up their side of the scoreboard. Kristen Insardi ’14 scored a try on a breakaway run just six minutes into the second half.

Sprinting over half the field towards the try area, she faked out SUNY Cortland players who fell left and right while attempting to take her down. Insardi’s try revived the Hamilton team, and Hannah Nekoroski ’15 and Izzy Janzen ’14 scored tries  soon after.

“The Cortland game was tough,” said Janzen, the pack captain for the team. “We took too long to get our momentum and by the time we were playing our strong and solid Hamilton rugby we didn’t have enough time to secure the win. It was a hard fought game and fun to play, despite the loss.”

During the team’s home opener on Sept. 9, Hamilton crushed Colgate, 33-5.

According to Janzen, the Hamilton team has a lot of highly motivated returning players in addition to new players who have already shown great potential and dedication to improving their play on the field.

“We have a lot of things to work on but we’re also doing a lot of things well and I’m pumped to see how we do in our new league this season,” said Janzen. Since the New York State Rugby Conference for Division I dissolved last year, Hamilton women’s rugby will transition into the Excelsior Women’s Rugby League in 2012.

Catch the team in action on Saturday, Sept. 29, when the Hamilton women host Sienna at 1 p.m on Minor Field.

All Sports