The Mississippi State Women’s Rugby Club opened its season with a win over Arkansas State University on Saturday. In the first ever home game for the Lady Bulldogs, they defeated the Indians 20-0. The MSU Women’s Rugby Club was started last fall with only seven players. Since then, the team has grown to over 22 people.
Robyn Schlagheck, who plays hooker for the Lady Bulldogs and serves as vice-president and assistant coach, is one of the eight veterans returning for the fall season.
“We’ve been working really hard the past few weeks to get ready for the season. We have a lot of new girls, and to start the season off with a win was really exciting,” Schlagheck said.
The Lady Bulldogs started off the first half with a scoring drive led by Trish Curtis to take a 5-0 lead. Candice Morgan went on to score twice more in the half, putting the Lady Bulldogs up 15-0.
ASU never seemed to get much moving in terms of offense, missing two key scoring opportunities in the first half.
The Indians’ troubles continued into the second half, when on the opening kickoff, MSU took the ball 50 meters down the field. Miranda Bast capped off the drive by MSU, scoring and putting the Lady Bulldogs up 20-0.
ASU did manage to put MSU on the defensive. ASU kept MSU in their own try zone most of the second half, but never managed to score.
Jennifer Gray, who plays scrumhalf and serves as president and assistant coach of the MSU Women’s Rugby Club, said she thought that the team did well overall.
“We’ve been working hard, and the rookies stepped up and made some very big plays for us. Arkansas State is a new team as well, so it was a good learning experience for both teams,” Gray said.
Team members include: Laura Hines, Trish Curtis, Candice Morgan, Jennifer Fuller, Jennifer Phillips, Jennifer West, Jennifer Gray, Janey Walker, Miranda Bast, Marcia Storm, Sara Mize, Erin Brock, Shannon Reed, Cassie Newell and Robyn Schlagheck.
For more information, on the MSU Women’s Rugby Club, contact Jennifer Gray at 323-5777.