Women's rugby plans return to nationals, celebrates 25 years

The Norwich women's rugby team had an enormously successful season last year. Despite four senior starters graduating, the team has what it takes to make it to nationals again, according to the head coach.

Last year in the USA Rugby Colligate Division II National tournament the team made it to the final four. It eventually fell to Washington State in a 15-5 semifinals loss.

Despite this, the team now has some valuable knowledge. "They have the experience that many other teams don't have," said Norwich Athletic Director Tony Mariano.

Another positive quality that the team has is "the physical nature of the institution," said Mariano. He said that the cadets on the team take the discipline of the corps out onto the pitch.

Mariano attributes the success to Coach Austin Hall. "With good coaching by Coach Hall they've been able to become a national powerhouse," he said.

The women's rugby team has some new leadership with its captain, Anita Moreno, 21, a senior criminal justice major from Long Island, N.Y.

Moreno, who has been on the team for four years, is extremely confident in the team's abilities. "We have a strong back line," Moreno said, "and a pretty solid pack."

She also mentioned how the team has improved as a result of the preseason games. "From the first game till now we have changed a lot as a team," she said. "We have much better chemistry between the forwards and backs."

She has valuable experience as an assistant captain in last year's season.

She was very well prepared for her significant role, said Hall. "From her freshman year I knew she was going to be captain," he said.

Moreno has already won the respect of the new freshman, Joya Clark, 18, from Scotia, N.Y. Clark says, "I was very impressed with the team" when she first practiced with them and added that Moreno is doing an "excellent job."

The coach said he does not plan to make any drastic changes to the strategy or practices during this season.

Hall has had a consistent practice regiment for the last three years. The only difference seen by the players was that "the drills that we do now are more chaotic, they make you think more," said Ferne Ryder, 19, a junior criminal justice major from Grand Isle, Vt.

Another factor that makes this year important is that it is the 25th anniversary for rugby at Norwich. This adds a sense of tradition and history, Hall said.

The girls on the team are also excited about this. Ryder said, "I can't wait for my 25th anniversary."

Hall keeps the girls competitive by keeping all the positions open at the beginning of the year. He says,

"Every spot opens up every year, and 15 people claim those spots."

The team has increased the number of walk-ons due to the growing popularity of the sport and the team's success on the national level.

This affects the team because it has to be stricter about the players that are allowed to join. "This is the first year that we've had to make cuts," Moreno said. "We're a larger team and we have a lot of girls coming out."

"We all believe we can get there, we just have to go back and put in the work," said Hall.