The Wisconsin Women defeated the visiting County Will Morrigans, 29-12, and the Oconomowoc Women, 46-15, on Saturday, September 24.
Hosting the two matches at the Wisconsin Rugby Club Sports Complex in Cottage Grove, Wis., Wisconsin’s hard-fought victory against the Morrigans marks the third Midwest Division II league win of the season. The win retains Wisconsin’s first-place standing in the Midwest’s Western Division Central League.
Wisconsin welcomed Oconomowoc in a second friendly match and saw great play from our new and less experienced players in a match of 10s. Oconomowoc is a younger team formed just two years ago. Following the matches, all three women’s teams joined the Wisconsin Rugby Club men in a social after the guys defeated the Chicago Westside Condors, 45-10.
[Your dedicated webmaster was busy coaching the UW Women so specific details on the games are limited. The Morrigans were noted to be a very physical team to play and play got a bit “thuggish” at times. Oconomowoc brought 10 players so the friendly was only two 20-minute periods. Wisconsin’s new players were “so awesome” and Dana Gordon pleasantly surprised all with her great kicking against Oconomowoc.]
Wisconsin travels to St. Cloud, Minn., this Saturday, October 1 for the final league match of the season against the St. Cloud Sirens. The Sirens are a new team in the league formed from alumni of the St. Cloud collegiate team. Wisconsin needs to win the match to guarantee home-field advantage for the first round of Midwest playoffs on Saturday, October 15. The top Central League team hosts the No. 2 team from the Northern League (likely the Palmer Women), while the top Northern League team hosts the No. 2 from the Central League.
The Playoff winners then travel to Pittsburgh, Penn., on October 29 and 30 to meet the Eastern Division’s top two women’s team in the Midwest Championships. This is the final step towards advancing to the USA Rugby Division II Women’s National Championships November 12-13 in Virginia Beach, Va.
Wisconsin has also opted to cancel the schedule match against Chicago North on October 8 in Chicago. The team will rest in preparation for hopefully hosting the Midwest Playoff match.
Big thanks to Wisconsin’s Emma Zoch for her excellent statistics! Heal up quick Emma!
These photos were totally stolen from Liz Robinson. Thanks Liz!
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Wisconsin Women – 29
County Will Morrigans – 12
Click here for Midwest D-II Conference Results and Standings.
Wisconsin Tries – Jane Sachs, Meg Dickoff, Meaghan White (2), Shoshana Griffith.
Wisconsin Conversions – Elisa Becker (2)
County Will Tries – #15 (2)
County Will Conversion – #13
Team Lineup Not Available.
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Wisconsin Women – 46
Oconomowoc Women – 15
Wisconsin Tries – Emily Frerichs (3), Brittany Martin (2), Meg Dickoff, Michelle “Mike” Blaser, Melissa “Helga” Polheber
Wisconsin Conversions – Sammy Clevenger, Dana Gordon (2)
Oconomowoc Tries – #3, #10 (2)
Oconomowoc Conversions – none
