The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: courtesy of Catherine Vieth The women lost both of their matches and placed fourth.

Media Credit: Rob Kievit

Media Credit: Rob Kievit

This past weekend, the men's and women's rugby squads battled against fellow Maine schools in the Maine Collegiate Rugby Championship at the Cumberland Country Fairgrounds. Competing against the likes of Bowdoin College, the University of Maine-Farmington, and the University of Maine-Orono in a tournament in which each team plays two games, the men split the day to finish with a 1-1 record on the championship. The Mules matched up against NESCAC counterpart Bowdoin for their first game, demolishing the Polar Bears 15-5. Tries came from all-star winger John Koury '09 and graduating veteran Bryan Solar '08.

In its next game, against the University of Maine-Orono, Colby started off ahead once again with Koury registering yet another try. Yet with five minutes left in the game, Orono led a comeback and ultimately finished ahead 15-7. With a record of 1-1, the Mules finished second behind UMaine-Farmington, who was crowed State Champion.

Despite runner-up status, four Mules were still selected for the Maine All-Star Rugby Team. Hamdi Sheriff '10, Jack D'Isidoro '10, Guy Sack '09 and Koury received the honor of first team.

The women entered into Saturday's tournament with limited experience this season. "We were nervous going into the tournament because we had only had a handful of practices outside beforehand," Caitliin Casey '09 said. In their first game of the day, the Mules suffered a devastating 5-0 loss to Bates College. Despite a strong showing from the forward pack that dominated the Bobcats throughout the match, the Mules were not able to together their offense in time to clinch the win.
In the second game of the tournament, Colby fell 17-0 to a powerhouse University of Maine-Orono squad, who then went on to win the tournament. Although the pack continued to press and the back line was able to connect better passes and gain more ground on the field, Colby's efforts had little to compare with the sheer grit of the Black Bears.

Out of a total of 30 women to receive tournament honors (Maine Select Side First 15 and Alternate 15), nine Mules were chosen to represent the Maine Collegiate All-Star Team. Jamie Fierce '09 and Cody Sprattmoran '11 were selected to the first team, while Christa Miller-Shelley '08, Casey, Danielle Crochiere '09, Emily Warmington '10, Alyssa Belisle '11 and Shannon Merrell '10 were added to the alternate team. "Though we didn't win, we are excited by the level of play that we reached and are ready to be competitive at the Beast of the East Tournament in Rhode Island next weekend," Casey said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools