Tag: Featured

The Breakdown: D2 Playoffs Taking Shape

Women’s rugby news website The Breakdown highlighted key matches heading into weekend across the country in an feature article posted April 14.

The article included Wisconsin’s last regular season match at the Milwaukee Scylla.

Via the article:

If the DII club leagues haven’t already named their post-season representatives, then the next two weekends will do the trick. Here’s an update on where the regional competitions stand and the games to follow this weekend: …

MIDWEST
The top two teams from each of the four pools play a divisional crossover (East 1 teams vs. East 2 teams, West 1 teams v West 2 teams) in what is essentially the Midwest quarterfinal round. The four victors move onto the Midwest final four weekend.

East 1: Buffalo (5-0) has clinched the top seed and will play its first and last spring league game against Akron (0-5) Saturday. Cleveland and Pittsburgh Highlanders are separated by one point in the standings, so Saturday’s winner will finish second and keep playing.

East 2: Cincinnati (5-1) and Louisville (5-1) are heading to playoffs but haven’t sorted out their seeds yet. The duo play each other Saturday to determine who’s in better shape after the long break.

West 1: County Will Morrigans (7-0-1) will advance as this pool’s top seed, but the second seed is up for grabs. League play resumes this weekend.

West 2: The headliner pits undefeated Wisconsin against 4-2 Milwaukee Scylla this weekend. Scylla should advance as the #2 seed out of the pool to divisional playoffs, so this game will serve as a good gauge for the post-season-bound teams.

Read the full preview article here.

Photo credit: Patrick Barron

Wisconsin Plays Up, Beats D1 Minnesota Valkyries 62-37

The Midwest Division 2 women’s spring playoffs are looming and the Wisconsin Women opted to gauge themselves against a higher-division opponent April 9 to test their mettle.

Wisconsin traveled to the Division 1 Minnesota Valkyries, an opponent who holds several wins against the team throughout competitive history. In a sign of the ever-changing nature of rugby parity though, it was Wisconsin who knocked out a dominating 62-37 victory on the road against the Valks.

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Wisconsin scrum versus Minnesota Valkyries. And Wisconsin’s awesome new gray jerseys!

The win marked Wisconsin’s first against the Valks in at least 13 years, if not more, according to one WWRFC alum. Both teams previously competed regularly against each other in Division 1 before league realignments saw the Valks move up to the Women’s Premier League and later back down to D1, as Wisconsin moved down to D2 and a more natural fit for the smaller city of Madison.

The friendly match saw both teams mix up their rosters with starters and developmental players. But Wisconsin’s outside speed and forward continuity proved too much for the rebuilding Valkyries.

Speedy Wisconsin wing Felicia Carlson notched points on the scoreboard first with a try. The ensuing restart saw outside center Bree Valenza slip past the Minnesota defense to set up wing Justine Wypych for Wisconsin’s next try in the early minutes of the match. Conversions were unsuccessful and Wisconsin held an early 10-0 lead.

The Valks rallied back with a try of their own by former UW-Whitewater and Wisconsin Women’s alum Kristen “Ham” Zdanczewicz, a longtime USA Eagle, leading the valks at inside center. The visiting team continued to build the lead however. Wisconsin’s Grace Hovde cleared a successful penalty kick to make it 13-5 before Valenza scored her second try, followed by a Hovde run setting up Carlson for her second try to make it 27-5.

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Wisconsin scrumhalf Kris Peterson tacklers Valkyrie inside center Kristen “Ham” Zdanczewicz, a former Wisconsin and USA Eagle alum.

The Valks didn’t fold as their #8 capitalized on a penalty play from 10 meters our to make it a 27-10 scoreline. Wisconsin’s outside speed couldn’t be matched though as fans saw Wypych earn her second try and improve the scoreboard to 34-10 for Wisconsin.

Scoring notes got a bit fuzzy as the cold set in for sideline statisticians, but further back and forth scoring saw Wisconsin maintain the lead at 42-20 around the 50-minute mark.

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Wisconsin wins the ruck on offense. Minnesota not challenging much.

Wisconsin vet Kris Peterson, playing at scrumhalf, earned points for the team after shiftily breaking though the defense. A few cheap shots from the home team saw them earn a yellow card after a later hit on Wypych after she scored another try. Wisconsin tighthead Melissa “Helga” Pohleber punished the opposition with a big break to set up fullback Ashley Shaw to make it 57-20. Scoring continued as Peterson set up Carlson with an easy try to make it 67-20.

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No. 9 Kris Peterson on the attack with plenty of Wisconsin teammate support.

The Valkyries were not done though as Wisconsin penalties and some subbing gave the Valks three late tries heading into the closing minutes. Wisconsin’s lead was too much though. Final score 62-37.

Wisconsin returns home for a hard week of practice in preparation for the final Midwest Division 2 league match of the season. The team travels to Milwaukee to play longtime state rivals, the Milwaukee Scylla on Saturday, April 16 at the Gun Club field on the Lake Michigan shoreline. A win against the Scylla will give Wisconsin an undefeated 8-0 league record and improve them to 14-1 overall in matches and tournament play.

Wisconsin vs MN Valks
Minnesota Valkyries conceding the rucks against Wisconsin’s support.
Wisconsin vs MN Valks
Wisconsin flanker Kim Gilmore breaks down the field through the Valkyries. Speedy teammate Sybil Levine in support.
Wisconsin vs MN Valks
Wisconsin’s Kris Peterson with a breakaway run with Felicia Carlson in support. Carlson scored the ensuing try.
Wisconsin vs MN Valks
Wisconsin fullback Ashley Shaw battles through two Valkyrie defenders.
Wisconsin vs MN Valks
Wisconsin team photo after the win against the Minnesota Valkyries. New team jerseys looking sharp!

Snow Day Fun with UW-Madison Women

What do you do when Mother Nature can’t make up her mind about spring weather? Play rugby anyway.

With a Saturday that at times was a snowy blizzard, at other times a beautiful, sunny spring day, the Wisconsin Women welcomed little sister team, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Women, to the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex on April 2.

Conditions made a true competitive match difficult – hard to play officially when you can’t see the pitch lines – but the two teams opted to play some fun, snow rugby. No score was kept. A rugby snowwoman was built.

Check out this crazy time lapse video of the Wisconsin Rugby Club men’s games held on the same afternoon.

A fun joint social was held afterwards at Wilson’s and was further enhanced by the surprise appearance of three men’s teams, including our Wisconsin Men, whose social plan had fallen through. A good time was had by all, despite Wisconsin’s wacky spring weather.

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Flanker Andrea Clark leads a crash for Wisconsin (gray) vs. UW Women (red)
UW-Madison's Laura Adams picks and goes against Wisconsin.
UW-Madison’s Laura Adams picks and goes off a ruck against Wisconsin.
Wisconsin flanker/lock Sammy Clevenger goes up for the ball in a snowy lineout against UW-Madison.
Wisconsin flanker/lock Sammy Clevenger goes up for the ball in a snowy lineout against UW-Madison. Check out the new gray uniforms too!
Our new team mascot
Our new team mascot

USA Rugby Feature: Women of Wisconsin Eye Big Spring After Undefeated Fall

The Wisconsin Women were featured by USA Rugby on the national governing body’s website and social media channels March 24.

USA Rugby Feature Article - Wisconsin WomenHere’s the article via USA Rugby:

Alex Solomon
March 24, 2016
Photo by JD Black

“If we do well in the Midwest, I’m sure the excitement and hunger will grow, but no one is looking ahead.”

LAFAYETTE, Colo. – Wisconsin Women’s Rugby Football Club’s 2015 Division II National Championship took some by surprise. However, Wisconsin’s form and undefeated 2015-16 record is proof the squad from Madison is far from a one-year wonder.

A 2015 fall campaign produced a 7-0 mark and a plus-267 point differential for Wisconsin against its Midwest rivals. Still, the reigning National Champion’s road to the 2016 Midwest Playoffs has not been as seamless as its unblemished record would indicate.

“The fall season has been a sorting out process for us as much as anything,” Head Coach Bob Jafferis said. “We lost four starters from last year’s Championship game, and several other players that have started a lot of games for us have also retired or moved on. In addition, we had several players change positions for this year.”

It is going to take more than a few retirements and some tinkering of combinations to slow down a club with a 41-year history. While less-experienced players have done well to fill roles in the first XV, several Wisconsin stalwarts have somehow continued to up their game and the club’s stakes.

Up front, tight head prop Melissa Polheber leads one of the best front rows Jafferis has ever coached. In the back row, open side flanker Kris Peterson is heavily relied on for her energy and go-forward ball, and No. 8 Grace Hovde is always dangerous with ball in hand.

Not to be forgotten is 2015 National Championship MVP Justine Wypych. The quick-footed winger continues to be a thorn in the foot of opposing defensives, dotting down nine times over six conference games this past fall.

The experience of outmatching an established Sacramento Amazons team, 38-28, in last year’s Final, and carrying a 7-0 mark into the spring has not encouraged Wisconsin to make any plans beyond its April 30 opening-round Midwest Playoff fixture.

“I don’t think anyone is looking beyond the Midwest,” said Jafferis. “They know how tough it was last year to win and advance. So, they know to expect a big challenge. If we do well in the Midwest, I’m sure the excitement and hunger will grow, but no one is looking ahead.”

One final conference game remains on Wisconsin’s schedule, an April 16 visit to Milwaukee to face Scylla, but the top seed out of the Midwest DII West 2 league is all but claimed by the women who train out of Cottage Grove, Wisc. That top seed spells a Midwest Semifinal against either the Chicago Sirens or Fort Wayne. Historically, Wisconsin holds a favorable record over the Sirens, whereas the reigning champ has never faced Fort Wayne.

A victory in the Midwest Semifinal could potentially set up a regional final versus Chicago’s County Will Morrigans. The Morrigans are having an equally impressive season, as the team’s lone loss came to the Minnesota Valkyries’ Division I side.

“We think we are positioned to do well, but we have a lot of respect for the other teams in the Midwest,” Jafferis commended.

If it sounds like Wisconsin is humble it is because it is. But the club is also less concerned about results, and chooses to concern itself with the main reason its members still lace up the boots.

“Our first goal is always to have fun,” added Jafferis. “Rugby is a game, and we want to have fun playing.”

Plenty of rugby stands between Wisconsin and a return visit to Colorado’s Infinity Park for the 2016 Club National Championships, but one thing is for certain: the women of Wisconsin will not be sneaking up on anyone this spring.

Article from USA Rugby. Photo by JD Black.

Wisconsin Ranked #2 in the Country

New women’s rugby news website The Breakdown issued its first set of spring national rankings for senior Division 2 women March 23. Wisconsin earned a #2 ranking nationally across the competition.

Via the Breakdown:

So much has changed since last year – teams moved to and from DI, clubs bulked up schedules for a nationals run, and others fell completely off of the radar. This first ranking of the year relies on current results and blends them with the relative strength of regions as demonstrated at last year’s nationals, while also accounting for teams that have left the division. It also serves as a general update on what’s happening around the country.

First, here’s a look at the teams that look particularly strong this year:

Life West is a new team and should be playing in DI, if there was such a competition in the region. The Gladiatrix dominate NorCal and are propelled by Eagles like Jenn Sever and Catie Benson, and age-grade fixtures like Megan Pinson and Megan Foster – among many other talented players. The only drawback – other than meaningful competition – is the post-season barrier they provide to other good DII teams. …

Defending DII champion Wisconsin is looking good again at 7-0 and would surprise no one if it returned to the national title match. Like all of the Midwest (and Northeast and Mid-Atlantic), the majority of the regular season was contested in the fall, and the final league games will occur in April. Needless to say, Wisconsin is the Midwest favorite.

See the full rankings article here.

DII CLUB RANKINGS – MARCH 23, 2016
Rank. Team (Record). Recent results
1. Life West (7-0). Lopsided victories in NorCal; won Champagne Classic
2. Wisconsin (7-0). Won Whiskey 10s; last league game April 16
3. Emerald City (6-0). Big lead in Pacific Northwest; beat Tacoma 58-0
4. Burlington (5-1). Atlantic North champion; idle until April 16
5. Augusta (4-0). Defeated Charleston 64-5; lost 25-0 friendly to DI Raleigh
6. Charlotte (5-0). Defeated Eno River 72-0; defeated league opponents 306-19
7. SFGG (4-2). Defeated San Jose 96-15; lost 62-6 to Life West
8. Providence (4-2). Idle until April 2
9. Tucson (5-0). Defeated reigning league champ Fullerton 26-5
10. Cincinnati (5-1). Idle until April 16; April 23 game to watch vs. Scioto Valley
11. KC Jazz (3-0). Friendlies at Nash Bash
12. Milwaukee Scylla (4-2). Gave Wisconsin a good game, beat DI Minn. Valkyries
13. Fullerton (4-1). Lost 26-5 to Tucson
14. Brandywine (6-0). Defeated Morris 41-28 in friendly
15. Buffalo (5-0). Last league game April 16

Wisconsin Opens Spring With Whiskey 10s Trophy

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2016 Whiskey 10s Championship Plaque

After a long winter offseason, Wisconsin used a warm weekend to travel down to Chicago and win the 2016 Whiskey 10s Tournament.

Shaking off the winter rust, the team earned four large victories in the social tournament against Chicago-area college and social teams.

Wisconsin defeated the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) 57-0 to open the tournament play. Additional wins against an Alumni Side of UIC and Illinois State sent Wisconsin to the tournament final to knock down the UIC Alumni side a second time for the championship.

Thanks to the milder weather, it was a fun day to warm up the boots and prepare for spring playoffs. Wisconsin backs captain Jenn Johnson applauded the team and shared that it “felt good to run around and tackle.”

Wisconsin Roster for 2016 Whiskey 10s
Brittany Aprahamian
Felicia Carlson
Sammy Clevenger
Alayna Hronek
Cori Heilman
Jenn Johnson (C)
Marissa “Fizz” Kraynak
Katie Klas
Nikki Lowden
Lauren McCormack
Kris Peterson
Sarah Pinkston
Melissa “Helga” Pohleber
Emma Zoch

Wisconsin Spring 2016 Schedule Set

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby spring 2016 schedule is set and quickly approaching.

Visit our Schedule page for the latest updates and match details.

The team has one final Midwest league match on April 16 on the road against the Milwaukee Scylla before Midwest playoffs begin. After an undefeated fall league season, Wisconsin is in first place at the top of the Midwest D2 West 2 league standings.

Prior to the Scylla, the team will warm up with a friendly scrimmage against the UW-Madison Women on April 2 in Madison and away at the Minnesota Valkyries (D1 friendly) on April 9.

The team is also excited to host the brand new Fond du Lac women’s team for a friendly b-side match on April 23 at the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex.

Playoffs begin April 30 and full details for Midwest playoffs will be shared once they are available. All competitions in playoffs are single-elimination events.

Wisconsin Tops Midwest League Standings with Undefeated Fall

The Wisconsin Women’s Rugby team completed a successful Fall 2015 regular season in the Midwest Division 2 league.

Competing in the West 2 quarter of the Midwest region, Wisconsin played nine matches overall this season. Seven of the nine matches were in the West 2 league and Wisconsin won all seven of these matches to place first overall with an undefeated record.

Additionally, Wisconsin earned its fifth-consecutive qualification to the Midwest playoffs (2011, 2012, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016), and a 13-point super league lead on all other West 2 teams in the standings. Runner-up Milwaukee Scylla is 13 points behind Wisconsin in the standings. It’s a great start for the spring playoff season for the USA Rugby 2015 Division 2 National Champions.

Wisconsin also played two Division 1 teams this fall. They defeated the Chicago Women 48-10 to kick off the fall season at the WWRFC 40th Anniversary Weekend in August. The team also played perennial Division 1 national contender Chicago North Shore in October, but suffered a 65-5 loss.

Here are the match recaps from our 2015 fall season:

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.