Mother Nature did not stop the AU women's rugby club from playing in the Cherry Blossom Festival's annual tournament last weekend on the National Mall. The players slipped and slid across the pitch, shutting out Catholic University, 5-0, in their first game Saturday morning.
"When else are you going to get a chance to run around in the mud just a half a mile from the White House?" sophomore Sherilyn Villa said.
Saturday's afternoon game was canceled due to the continued rainfall. The remaining two games were played Sunday in Maryland, although the team was on the losing end of those.
This season has been filled with many changes for the team. It has a new coaching staff and was placed in the regional division playoffs. It is also planning an alumni weekend.
At the end of last season, players felt that one of their weaknesses was their general fitness. Instead of spending practice time on conditioning, they decided to make an off-season work out plan. The program also helped retain players over the offseason, co-captain Madeline Giotmer said. The team currently has 40 players on their roster, including six new players for this season.
This year has been a rebuilding one for the team as it has a new coaching staff led by Deanna Church. Church played for the Maryland Stingers, a women's rugby club in the D.C. area
For the first time in three years, the team made it to the Mid-Atlantic Union playoffs. It lost a close game against nationally ranked Westchester University, 25-17.
Next weekend the team is planning an alumni weekend in celebration of the club's 10th anniversary. Part of this includes a traditional team dinner in TDR and an alumni game against current players.
"I am really proud of this team for lasting for the past years, regardless of all the obstacles it has faced," Elisabeth Collins said. "I cannot wait to talk to alumni, especially because I know they are so proud of how our team has developed."
Giotmer also said one of the team's biggest strengths is that it has a lot of heart.
Giotmer explained that in their first game this season, they were down for most of the game, but during the second half managed to come back and beat Drexel.
"The dedication that the girls show is also really impressive," she said. "Most of us have jobs, school, internships and many other commitments, but we still find time to get to practice three days a week and games every weekend"
