Undefeated Wisconsin Earns 7th Win Against Menagerie

The final rugby weekend of the fall saw Wisconsin travel again to Minnesota for the team’s last match of the season.

It was a tale of two halves against the Minneapolis Menagerie, but Wisconsin used a strong second half to rally for a 26-17 win.

The Menagerie disrupted Wisconsin’s gameplay throughout most of the first half. Wisconsin failed to put points on the scoreboard until the 33rd minute as the Menagerie held a 10-0 lead, thanks to a penalyy kick, a try, and the ensuing conversion. Wisconsin’s offense finally broke through the Menagerie defense to send inside center Bree Valenza into the try zone. Flyhalf Elisa Becker successfully converted the kick.

Minneapolis rallied in the final minute of the half again to increase their lead to 17-7 with another try and conversion though.

A renewed and reinvigorated Wisconsin team returned to the pitch for the second half. The statistics would only see Wisconsin from that point forward.

Wisconsin No. 8 Grace Hovde and wing Felicia Carlson both scored to help their team. Becker’s successful conversions allowed Wisconsin to finally take control of the match lead by the 53rd minute, 19-17.

Wing Justine Wypych sunk the final nail in the coffin for any hopes of the Menagerie. The speedster scored Wisconsin’s final try at the 70-minute mark and Becker notched a final conversion for the 26-17 victory.

Wisconsin ends the season with seven wins and zero losses in Division 2 league play after this fall. The team now takes the winter off for training before returning to league play with a final match in April against the Milwaukee Scylla. With the team record, Wisconsin is first overall in the Midwest West 2 league and has qualified for playoffs.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

Wisconsin Holds Off Amazon Attack 13-11

Wisconsin flyhalf Elisa Becker charges through the Amazon defense. Photo by Patrick Barron. View photo album here.

A cold, rainy Halloween afternoon in Minnesota saw Wisconsin hold on to a narrow 13-11 road victory against Midwest Division 2 league opponents, the Twin Cities Amazons.

Both teams played with full rosters and the weather pushed the ball into the forwards more often than not.

Each team defended its try zone well, only allowing the opposition to score on penalty kicks. Tied at 3-3, the match didn’t see a try until the 28th minute of play when Amazons flanker Emilee Burkhalter scored to take a 8-3 lead. The Amazons improved their lead with an additional penalty kick to make it 11-3 heading into halftime.

Both teams used their subs well as the match progressed and it looked like the Amazons might be able to hold off the Wisconsin attack for the match.

Still down 11-3 heading into the final 20 minutes, Wisconsin pulled together its continuity and found a gap in the Amazon defense. Rookie outside center Bree Valenza sailed into the try zone for the team’s first try to improve the score to 11-8 at the 60-minute mark.

Fired up, Wisconsin only needed an additional two minutes to score again as feisty lock Sammy Clevenger notched the team’s much-needed second try and the lead, 13-11.

Wisconsin held off the Amazons for the next 18 minutes to win the match, improve to 6-0 in the league and maintain their undefeated Division 2 record this fall.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

Wisconsin Shuts Out Palmer at Home 65-0

felicia
Wisconsin’s Felicia Carlson races down the sideline for a try against Palmer. Photo by Patrick Barron. See photo album here.

Wisconsin bounced back quickly from a tough loss last week. The home team shut out the visiting Palmer Women’s team 65-0 at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex on Saturday, October 24.

The win helped Wisconsin improve its undefeated Midwest Division 2 league record to 5-0 in the region, 6-1-0 overall against both Division 1 and Division 2 clubs.

Flanker Kris Peterson earned a hat trick of scores to lead Wisconsin with three tries against the Dragons. Wisconsin’s other tries were shared across the roster by backs and forwards alike.

WWRFC wing Justine Wypych, scrumhalf Jennifer “Sin Bin” Johnson, No. 8 Grace Hovde, flanker Lauren McCormack, fullback Ashley Shaw, lock Sammy Clevenger, prop Melissa “Helga” Pohleber, and wing Felicia Carlson all earned a try a piece in the victory.

Flyhalf Elisa Becker converted five kicks for an additional 10 points.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

12049370_10153685055449524_8569400106773864027_n

12037983_10153683980989524_1599721304931118694_n

Sybil Levine

12189035_10153685055434524_2157840677302204296_n12189855_10153685071944524_2308994642878337482_n

Wisconsin Falls 65-5 in D1-D2 Crossover Against Chicago North Shore

Chicago North ShoreThe Midwest women’s rugby leagues added a new feature this fall season with officially-scheduled, but friendly, divisional crossover matches between the top Division 1 and Division 2 clubs.

Wisconsin hosted D-1 national contender Chicago North Shore and earned the club’s first loss of the fall season. Falling 65-5, the match provided Wisconsin with an opportunity to play several developmental athletes and experiment with new combinations.

Wing Justine Wypych scored the team’s lone try at the 75-minute mark to avert the impending shutout. Chicago North Shore’s No. 8 Christine Pheil and fullback Lauren Trout led the visiting team in scoring.

The loss has no bearing on Wisconsin’s standings in the Midwest Division 2 league. However, it did provide the team with much-needed playing time for newer players and a renewed focus on the remainder of the D2 season.

Following the competitive match, both teams joined forces with the new Rockford (Illinois) women’s team to play a friendly b-side match.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

WWRFC Assails Amazons 55-12

jjjjjjj
Back home at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex, the Wisconsin Women shut down the visiting Twin Cities Amazons 55-12 to improve to 4-0 in Midwest Division 2 league play.

The Amazons, the D2 side of the USA Rugby Women’s Premier League (WPL) top team of the same name, always bring a tough and talented roster. Despite traveling with only one side, the league match proved to be very physical.

Wisconsin flanker Kris Peterson helped the team jump out to an early lead with a try at the one-minute mark. Wisconsin’s backs then took charge with tries scored by wing Felicia Carlson, wing Justine Wypych (2), and outside center Katie “KO” Odens.

Held out of the try zone throughout the first half, Amazon lock Xanthi Gerasimo broke the shutout with a try for the orange and blue in the 32nd minute. Amazon flyhalf Ariana Koras made the conversion for a halftime score of 26-7.

Wisconsin limited its subs at the half and came out firing again to start the second half. Forwards captain and hooker Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea earned a try for the pack in the 46th minute.

Peterson sealed the match with two more tries to earn a hat trick for the day and Carlson ended scoring with a final try at the 65-minute mark. Flyhalf Elisa Becker converted five of nine kicks to put 10 additional points on the board for Wisconsin.

The Amazons never quit the match however. Gerasimo scored a second try in the final minute to wrap up the match at 55-12.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

Wisconsin Earns 69-14 Road Win at Palmer

jjjj
Wisconsin scrum versus Palmer Women. Photo by Patrick Barron.

The season’s first away match proved to be no problem for the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team as they earned a 69-14 victory in Iowa against the Palmer Women.

The win improves Wisconsin to 3-0 in the Midwest Division 2 league standings.

The lopsided score saw Wisconsin score 12 tries, predominantly with wide-out play by the team’s backs. WWRFC wing Sybil Levine opened up scoring at the one-minute mark. Additional tries followed by fullback Ashley Shaw, outside center Justine Wypych, and opposite wing Felicia Carlson. Levine, Wypych, and Carlson later each earned a second try a piece.

Forward flanker Kris Peterson and No. 8 Grace Hovde also contributed to the scoreboard, with one try and two tries respectively.

Palmer’s roster challenged Wisconsin in fitness and defensive attack which slowed down the visiting team’s scoring opportunities later in the match as Wisconsin also started subbing across the roster. Palmer ended Wisconsin’s hopes for a shutout with two tries in the closing minutes by Helga Thorolfsdottir and Callie Horstman.

Wisconsin ended the match with a final try by prop-turned-wing Melissa “Helga” Pohleber, playing in the backline due to injuries to teammates.

Wisconsin flyhalf Elisa Becker added three successful conversions to the scoreline overall.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

Wisconsin Rallies for 49-20 Win Against Scylla

ggggg
Rookie and veteran teammates enjoying the post-match social together at Wilson’s Bar & Grill.

Despite several new faces on the roster, the Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team continued to prove that it won’t be resting on its laurels this fall.

Wisconsin welcomed in-state rivals, the Milwaukee Scylla, to the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove on Saturday, September 19. The match marked the second Midwest Division 2 Women’s league match of the fall for the home team.

Matches versus the Scylla are always bruising and this was no different as Milwaukee opened up scoring first. Scrums and physicality in the forwards was expected, but Wisconsin also had to shut down the Scylla’s larger size in the backline as well. The scoring remained tight with only a 14-12 advantage for Wisconsin heading into the halftime with tries scored by No. 8 Grace Hovde and speedy wing Felicia Carlson. Former hooker and now flyhalf Elisa Becker took care of business with two perfect conversions to keep the home-field advantage.

The second half saw Wisconsin’s speed and superior fitness take its toll on the Scylla however. The women in red used their continuity and aggressive play on the fringe to retain the ball and notch tries for flanker Kris Peterson, outside center Katie Odens, prop Melissa Pohleber, Carlson, and fullback Ashley Shaw. Becker was faultless off the tee with her conversions, going seven for seven on the match to bring the final scoreline to 49-20. The win improves Wisconsin to 2-0 overall in Midwest league play.

View the official USA Rugby match report here.

View the official USA Rugby match rosters here.

In a second developmental match between the two teams, Wisconsin and the Scylla played to a scoreless tie.

Wisconsin Kicks Off 2015 Fall Season with 67-3 Victory Against Menagerie

The Wisconsin Women kicked off their fall season at home with a win against the Minneapolis Menagerie on September 12 at 11 a.m. Conditions were an optimal sunny 63 degrees with little to no wind.

For their first league match, the team showcased this year’s round of new players and some changes in the lineup. Former hooker for the club, Elisa Becker, made her debut as flyhalf while Cori Jensen filled former Forwards Captain Jessica Burda’s boots as loose head prop with Burda sliding into an assistant coaching position for WWRFC.

This year, Wisconsin will see a younger team on the field as they defend their USA Rugby national title.

Grace Hovde (No. 8) and Melissa “Helga” Polheber (tighthead prop) excelled as key factors in contact and Katie “KO” Odens (outside center) easily found holes in the Menagerie defense. Kris Peterson (strongside flanker) aggressively took on each lineout, forcing Minneapolis’ hand at times.

Wisconsin scored its first try of the match only three minutes in after wing Justine “JT” Wypych beat the opposition on the corner. Blindside flanker, Lauren McCormack, touched the ball down after multiple scrums and picks (13’). The Menagerie earned their first and last points of the game with a penalty kick by Alexia Berg.

Peterson (27’), Odens (32’) and wing Sybil Levine (38’) each scored a try before halftime with Becker making three of her five kicks.

SCORE AT HALF: 31—3

Emi Frerichs came on for McCormack at half and Wypych scored her second try (50’) of the day after burning Menagerie’s defense on the outside and cutting back in. Odens set up Hovde for a sideline try (55’) then was subbed for rookie Callie Graves. Sammy Clevenger came on for Hovde and rookie Felicia Carlson subbed for Wypych just after she scored her first hat trick of the season (61’).

Jensen and Peterson subbed off with rookie Kim Gilmore and Alayna Hronek eager for some playing time. Becker stripped the ball nicely from the Menagerie and passed it out to speedy Levine who got her second try of the match 67 minutes in.

At the 70-minute mark, Forwards Captain Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea subbed off for rookie Anna Kalinsky, while Polheber was swapped for Emma Zoch. Carlson earned her first try ever after she used her incredible speed to touch the ball down (73’). Ashley Shaw, fullback, added her name to try scorers after she received a pass from Levine (78’).

hhhhhh
Players of the Match Brittany A., Bree V., and Rosie M., who finally received her 2014-2015 Team Heart Award. Missing: Katie O.

FINAL SCORE: 67—3
11 tries were scored by 8 different players and Becker made six of her 11 conversions.

View the official USA Rugby Match Report

View the official USA Rugby Match Rosters

POST-MATCH HONORS:
Odens was named Player of the Match by the Menagerie while WWRFC’s team honors went to Brittany Aprahamian as Forward of the Match, Odens for Back of the Match, and Bree Valenza as overall Player of the Match.

WWRFC Lineup:
1.    Cori Jensen
2.    Emily “Mouth” Mastandrea (C)
3.    Melissa “Helga” Polheber
4.    Brittany Aprahamian
5.    Sarah Thomas
6.    Lauren McCormack
7.    Kris Peterson
8.    Grace Hovde
9.    Jenn Johnson
10.    Elisa Becker
11.    Justine “JT” Wypych
12.    Bree Valenza
13.    Katie  “KO” Odens
14.    Sybil Levine
15.    Ashley Shaw
16.    Anna Kalinsky
17.    Emma Zoch
18.    Kim Gilmore
19.    Sammy Clevenger
20.    Emi Frerichs
21.    Alayna Hronek
22.    Felicia Carlson
23.    Callie Graves

Wisconsin takes on the Milwaukee Syclla on September 19 at the Wisconsin Rugby Complex at 12 p.m. You can follow the game on twitter.com/WIWomensRugby for live updates.

We’re the Wisconsin Women’s team …

Written By: Lauren McCormack

Alumni Weekend Celebrates Four Decades of Women’s Rugby

Four decades of women’s rugby players came together this August 28-29, 2015 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of women’s rugby in Madison, Wisconsin. More than 100 current players, alumni, family, friends, and fans enjoyed a weekend of rugby fun and camaraderie.

The original club team, Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club, was founded in 1975 and over the past forty years grew into the current senior women’s team and also the University of Wisconsin-Madison Women’s Rugby team.

Alumni Weekend Banner
A banner welcomes Alumni to the Friday night kickoff social

On Friday night, current players and alumni kicked off Alumni Weekend at State Street Brats Tavern in downtown Madison. Alumni were happy to share their stories of rugby revelry to impress and entertain the current players.

jjj

11914098_10207612152801079_5139110602806305416_nUW Alumni Heather Schmitt charging through the current UW's defense.

UW Alum Heather Schmitt, who currently plays for Detroit, charging downfield

Saturday morning saw a full side of alumni from both teams – the Wisconsin Women and the UW Women – spanning all four decades dig out shorts and boots to take on the current UW Women’s side at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex in Cottage Grove, Wis. A particularly dangerous combination of Diane Milligan and Jill Cohan sharing time at scrumhalf with Meghan White at flyhalf and Heather Schmitt at Inside Center saw the alumni slice through the current UW team’s defense for a number of tries. In the scrum, several alumni forwards kept switching positions until they remembered how to actually scrum.

UW's backline on the attack against the Alumni (white jerseys)
UW’s backline (red jerseys) on the attack against the Alumni (white jerseys)

Meanwhile, the UW players were excited to learn in the middle of the alumni match that they had picked up a ringer with former World Cup hooker Cynthia (Gehrke) Orvis. “She played in the World Cup?! Shut up!”

cindy
Women’s Rugby players representing four decades!

On the sidelines, the alumni weekend celebration grew more special with an appearance by one of the team’s founders, Cindy Stabler. Cindy helped establish the club’s storied history of excellent socials in the 1970s, a tradition the current team is proud to carry on still after every match. Special thanks to Nancy “Red” Thorne Cahill and Lisa Riehl for helping us reach more alumni and all of our local alumni (Jill C., Diane, Elina Cillier, Amy Prevost, Cynthia O., etc.) for helping share the word.

jjjj
The sideline tents provided a place to share photos, and show off trophies, including the team’s newest addition of the 2015 USA Rugby D2 National Championship trophy

Following the alumni match, the current Wisconsin Women’s team earned its first victory of the new fall season with a 48-10 win in a friendly match against the Division 1 Chicago Women.

Alumni capped the weekend in traditional form by continuing the celebration at Wisconsin’s sponsor bar, Wilson’s Bar & Grill, and singing and dancing into the wee hours of the morning thanks to a dance floor and karaoke.

Please save the date for the 2016 Alumni Weekend – our 41st Anniversary – on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27, 2016. Alumni weekend will always be the weekend *before* Labor Day Weekend. See you there!

Here are some more photos from the weekend:

11059772_10206572439446385_2962780102086292864_n 11219327_812692602203_5583882105971008597_n 11954728_812693166073_636884963164658459_n 11990391_812692886633_6850647081216520164_n 12002313_812692716973_8349206934283926886_nIMG_3616 IMG_3618 IMG_3621IMG_3628 IMG_3638IMG_3649IMG_3655 IMG_3657

11892136_10153010047017595_2621171842150691587_n 11951785_10101033332974434_6092436545126237927_n 11960083_10101033683781414_5865646328237337503_n 12075050_10205557515842122_515123001332651044_n

Celebrate 40 Years of Women’s Rugby in Madison at Alumni Weekend, Aug. 28-29

Wisconsin Women’s Rugby and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Women’s Rugby Club invite you to celebrate 40 years of women’s rugby with us in Madison, August 28-29, for Alumni Weekend 2015!

UPDATE – Please visit the Our Alumni page for complete details, to register, and complete your alumni questionnaire.

Join us Friday night, August 28 in downtown Madison and Saturday, August 29 at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex for a fun weekend celebrating women’s rugby in our city.

Founded as one women’s rugby team in 1975, the two teams have continued to grow and thrive on the competitive rugby pitch since the beginning.

On Friday night, current members and alumni of both teams will meet up at 6 p.m. in the outdoor patio and beer garden of State Street Brats on State Street in the heart of the UW-Madison campus and downtown Madison.

On Saturday, the UW Women’s active team will play a short, fun, and friendly match against any willing alumni at 11:30 a.m. Alumni and fans can stick around for the 1 p.m. kickoff of the Wisconsin Women vs. the Division 1 Chicago Women (an opponent from the beginning!). A picnic social will follow the games.

And REMEMBER – Our alumni events will always be the Saturday before Labor Day weekend moving forward. Hope to see you soon!