Shamshock Loss but a Win for Rat Future

On a blustery Saturday in Worcester last weekend, the ladies of Charles River were met a powerful Shamrock squad. The orange and green were bent out of their usual playing strategy early on, and struggled to reestablish themselves in the face of numerous challenges to their regular play style. The Shamrocks came away from the pitch having toppled the Rats 26-5, handing them just their second loss of the fall season. Despite the loss, however, River showcased a promising mix of veteran and rookie talent, as well individual player utility that they will take into their final game this weekend.

Upon the opening kickoff, Worcester immediately began to drive into Charles River territory. Utilizing their size advantage, they powered through River’s middle. The Rats, caught on their heels, struggled to bring their Worcester opponents to the ground as their transitioned through a series of short gains. The Shamrocks touched down their first try after a series of methodical advances through the center of the field. They converted, and went up 7-0. Charles River bounced back after Worcester’s first try, as they struggled to mount some aggressive defensive energy. Maegan Hoover, in at Flyhalf for the day, relieved pressure for River on several occasions, making some well-placed and well-timed kicks. Lizzie Chapman, River’s prodigious rookie Fullback, did the same to help the Lady Rats out of trouble. From a strong base in River’s scrums, River pushed back. Nice pressure in loose play from Molly Desmond and Amanda Martin from the Center spots produced some opportunities for the Lady Rats. Charles River advanced on a series of carries, where the ball passed through the hands of Martin, Chapman, Anne “Wales” Beaumont, and Chrissy “C” Andronico. Despite the promising advance, however, the rats were forced out of bounds and Worcester regained possession. The always-stellar lineout trio of Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet, Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio, and Forwards captain Alicia Evangelista managed to steal a Worcester lineout, but the Rats failed to capitalize on the effort. Worcester turned up the field, and, after consecutive penalties to Charles River coming out of a mangled ruck set, Worcester mauled the ball into the River try zone and touched it down for their second try. Afterwards, the River ladies again picked up the pressure. Flankers Jess “Jibz” Ingram-Bee and Lane Standige led the charge from the Flanker spots. Despite another definitive possession change on a second lineout steal by Evangelista, River was again unable to capitalize, and finished the half down 0-12.

A revamped River lineup took the field in the second half, and with it, some of the fledgling talent flanking the CRWRFC roster emerged. Newcomer Kate Etcheverry had big shoes to fill while subbing in for Hooker Lisa Natalicchio. Etcheverry performed admirably, adroitly maintaining River possession through scrum play. Lane Standige played a very strong game overall for Charles River in the pack, but was spectacular in the second half. The wiry Standige ran through a defensive line that vastly outsized her on several occasions. She pressured well from the scrum, and assisted in halting Worcester mauls on more than one occasion. She would be Worcester’s pick for Opponents’ Star of the Game as they too recognized her efforts. The consistent mauling game of Worcester would wear River down, however. As the Lady Rats had trouble bringing their Shamrock counterparts to the ground, the larger Worcester team bound and drove down the field with efficiency. After a series of mauls and carries through the middle, Worcester touched down another try, taking a 19-0 lead over Charles River.

Rugby newcomer Maggie Mink showed much promise as she made several nice carries for River, stepping in on the wing. Deirdre Murphy ran consistently in support of River ball carriers. Standige continued her dazzling effort, mixing in hard hits, strong runs, and solid rucking. Nina Romá Agvanian, coming into a reshuffled Ratpack, helped drive a consistent scrum. Young River talent combined with veteran savoir faire to set up River’s first score. Kara McAuliffe, moving from second row to 8-man to replace an injured Andronico, made for a formidable presence on the pitch. McAuliffe laid a series of punishing hits on the Shamrocks, helping to capture some momentum for the Lady Rats. The division’s only Prop-turned-Scrumhalf, Jehanne Junguenet, showed a spectacular versatility that would later earn her the first River “Slashie” Woman of the Match Award, for making an impact as a forward and a back during the game. It was Murphy, though, who would harness the resurgent River energy and take the ball into the try zone for her first score as a Lady Rat. Murphy would also earn a Woman of the Match nod from Captain Evangelista, for a well-rounded effort on the afternoon. Momentum would swing again in Worcester’s favor toward the end of the game, unfortunately. Despite highlights like Junguenet’s quick ball transition and an impressive tackling display from Rookie Krystyna Koz on the wing, the Shamrocks again drove down the field for a try. River would hold up another attempt minutes later, but would finish the game with only one score of their own.

River looks forward to assembling the points of strength from the game this weekend, as well as retuning some strategic points to regain their early momentum. The Lady Rats will close out their season Saturday, October 23^rd, in another Boston rugby battle at Moakley Field. Kickoff against Boston Women’s Rugby is scheduled for 11:30 AM.

Battle of the Bean...town

A colossal clash of Boston women’s rugby was set in dramatic fashion under the lights of Moakley Park’s turf field last Friday night. Charles River hosted the second squad of Beantown for an 8:30 PM match. The teams battled back and forth in a fast-paced, aggressive show during which both sides offered up their bodies and their resolve. In the end, the Beantown ladies topped the Rats by two scores, handing the home team a 22-10 loss, their first of the season.

A torrid pace marked much of the match, alarmingly setting the tone in the early minutes. Despite the plausible advantage of a wide field to River’s speed game, the Beantown forwards tied the ball up relentlessly, keeping a largely pack-to-pack contest through the middle. The Ratpack shined all night, however, standing their ground against a strong Beantown squad with a penchant for maul play. Gains for each side were plentiful, but the contest was marked by long stands and momentum shifts through the center 2/3 of the pitch, making for a rubbery back-and-forth that both sides would sustain almost continually.

The River ladies struck first, after setting the stage with a well-placed kick from Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, followed by a series of short carries involving both River forwards and backs running in support. Jehanne Junguenet, at the start of a very strong evening performance, carried for River. Veteran 8 Chrissy “C” Andronico also made a gain for River, as did Center Maegan Hoover, and Flanker Lane Standige. River rucked consistently and with strength, maintaining an almost unbroken possession string as they pushed into Beantown’s end. River’s fleetfoot Wing Katy Wilks made the final put-down, after the roll over the try line had been a group effort laden with strong forward rucking and skillful ball retrieval from Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie. The Lady rats went up 5-0. The bout heightened as Beantown recoiled from the early River score. Strong kicks from Alex Schmidt and Fullback Lizzie Chapman temporarily dispersed Beantown’s encroachment on the try zone. After a long push down the field, however, the visitors tied the score at five apiece.

Beantown made a push down to the River end again after a series of offside penalties to the Rats. Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie held up a Beantown try attempt, while Lock Whitney McCoy and 8-man Chrissy “C” Andronico halted consecutive mauls. The Ratpack, consistently a force to be reckoned with, wheeled a scrum deep in their defensive end, winning possession back for Charles River. In the face of Beantown’s sustained pressure, Flanker Lane Standige and Inside Center Amanda Martin pressured the Beantown offensive with relentless persistence. Standige and Martin, along with Lock Kara McAuliffe, unleashed several punishing tackles that backed Beantown off the try line. River’s talented hooker Lisa Natalicchio stole Beantown’s put-in on the next scrum, and the kicks of Alex Schmidt and Lizzie Chapman gave the Lady Rats some much-needed breathing room. Through the final minutes of the half, the teams returned to their aggressive contest for ground through the middle. Both squads saw yardage gains and losses. The half ended with the 5-5 tie sustained.

Encouraged by their robust first half, the River ladies took the field with eyes aflame. A series of short gains powered the Lady Rats down the field. Andronico was murderous in her tackling game, barely giving Beantown any room to maneuver. Jehanne Junguenet and Alicia Evangelista set the standard for rucking and ball possession to start the latter part of the match. It was a spectacular individual effort from Outside Center Maegan Hoover, however, that led to Charles River’s second try. Outside the 22-meter marker, Hoover received the ball, approaching the Beantown defense. Hoover punched through the initial line, accelerating in the face of tackling pressure. Executing a brilliant set of stutter-steps and spin moves, she bounced off several Beantown defenders, maneuvering her way through pressure and into the try zone. The ladies in orange celebrated wildly.

With the score 10-5, the teams returned to the battle for ground. Captain Alicia Evangelista continued to foil Beantown’s forward carries though the middle. River’s Flankers, Jess Ingram-Bee and Lane Standige, popped from aside the scrum with exemplary agility, leaving Beantown few strategic options from set play. The Beantown ladies continued to draw the Rats into mauls. McAuliffe, Andronico, and McCoy stood their ground, slowing the advantage. Again, however, Beantown knocked on River’s doorstep. The Rats held fiercely, holding up a Beantown try attempt. A subsequent attempt to kick for points missed the mark for the visitors, and, after a scrum to Beantown on the resulting River knock-on, the Lady Rats wheeled the scrum and regained possession. Pressure mounted far inside the 22-meter mark, until another skillful kick from Schmidt cleared play from the area. Scrappy play elevated the intensity level; both teams saw opportunities brighten and fade. Beantown’s sustained pressure would manifest itself in points, though, when they would finally push through near the center of the pitch. With a conversion to follow, the visitors took the lead, 10-12.

The Rats surged back, and even play continued into the middle of the second half. Possessions were alternatively strung together and broken for either side. McCoy and Andronico again presented a solid rucking game that benefited River. Junguenet made several short carries through the middle, while Colleen Shea, in at Flanker, kept the pressure on from set play. Amanda Martin, a formidable tackling/ball carrying threat all night, held the middle of the line steadfastly. Despite that the game was largely played in the middle of the field, Beantown’s next try came on a break around the outside. River’s defensive aggression through the back line wavered late in the game, and Beantown took advantage. They would score once on a long run around the outside after a break through the middle, and again minutes later on two back-to-back lengthy gains.

The Lady Rats’ efforts never wavered, and they made a push for another score as time dwindled. River ran and popped down the back line from a throw-in past midfield, only to be handcuffed by the sideline. Beantown’s maul attempts were foiled late in the game by River powerhouses Kara McAuliffe and Chrissy “C”Andronico. Despite the shining effort from the pack, coupled with Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie’s unwavering handiwork pulling the ball out, the Lady Rats were unable to capitalize in the final minutes. At the game’s end, Beantown emerged victorious, topping Charles River 10-22.

The River ladies congratulated themselves on a well-played match, sparkling with talent as well as perseverance. Captains Alicia Evangelista and Jenn “JVK” VaKuren recognized the skilled, versatile play of Rookie Lane Standige in the pack. They also lauded Amanda Martin, punisher of ball carriers and purveyor of “the heart of a lion”, as articulated by VanKuren. Beantown recognized Charles River Captain and svelte Prop Alicia Evanglista for being “pound-for-pound the hardest hitter in the league.”

The Lady Rats would like to thank their fans for coming out to support them during this memorable Friday night matchup under the lights. They will travel to Worcester’s Crompton Park this Saturday, to take on the Shamrocks at the foot of the College of the Holy Cross. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00PM.

Right Down the Middlesex

A barnstorming Charles River squad rolled out a 27-0 win on Saturday against Middlesex, taking their undefeated stretch to four games on the season. Despite organizational struggle from the Lady Rats, they banded together, forging the shutout on a waterlogged pitch alongside South Boston’s William J. Day Boulevard. A wide pitch played to the speed game of the orange and green, and, backed by a spine of individual efforts and an overpowering pack in scrum play, the River ladies had enough to take the match.

River came out with pistons firing. Early, they displayed a crisp passing game, elastically drawing Middlesex defenders and popping timely offloads for short gains. Before fifteen minutes had elapsed, a relentless River pack had already stolen three Middlesex scrums. Veteran Hooker Lisa Natalicchio led the charge, pulling the ball back to an immovable Ratpack. Vet Prop Jehanne Junguenet started the scoring for Charles River, touching down the ball after a series of gains made from a penalty. From the penalty spot, power Lock Kara McAuliffe received the ball and broke through the middle. Junguenet, running in support, finished the carry to take the Lady Rats up 5-0. It would be the winning try. Veteran Flyhalf and kicker Alex Schmidt split the uprights for the conversion, and the Rats gathered a seven point lead. River would strike again when Maegan Hoover, as part of a morning performance that would later merit an opponents’ choice for Player of the Game award, broke down the sideline. Hoover evaded all Middlesex tacklers with a combination of quick footwork and speed to the outside. She successfully entered the try zone, cutting to the middle for a 12-0 River touch down.

Bright spots were prevalent but disjointed for the Charles River ladies at the end of the half. Jess Ingram-Bee, starting at Flanker, and Kara McAuliffe, at Lock, set a pedestal-esque standard in the ruck and tackle game. McAuliffe would earn a Player of the Game pick for her efforts, while Ingram-Bee would continue the style of play that earned her a similar nod against North Shore last week. Fullback Lizzie Chapman, also coming off an impressive performance last week, would keep her successful pace against Middlesex, and also earn a Woman of the Match award. Chapman and Wing Katy Wilks would connect several times for long gains down the sidelines. Punishing tackler Amanda Bernasconi, fortifying her brick wall reputation, repeatedly stunned Middlesex ball carriers through the middle. A stolen lineout near the end of the half, orchestrated by the veteran front row trio of Junguenet, Natalicchio, and Alicia Evangelista, resulted in a bid for a second try from Junguenet. She was stopped short, however, and Middlesex managed to push the Rats back.

As time dwindled, plays disconnected for River. The Rat ladies had trouble maintaining ball possession, a situation that found them kicking out of trouble frequently to end the half. Chapman backed the Lady Rats brilliantly, though, trading kicks and chases with Middlesex. She and Schmidt kept Middlesex from scoring, despite a consistent encroachment on River’s try line. The Ratpack, solid through set play all morning, stole a fourth scrum and wheeled another before the half ended. Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie maintained excellent pressure on the opposing #9, leaving little room for Middlesex to set up. McAuliffe and Whitney McCoy powered the pack from the second row. River failed to capitalize on the stalwart scrum play, however, and the 12-0 score was maintained through the half.

Middlesex brought the intensity to start the second half. They immediately pushed River back into their own end, where the Lady Rats held up two consecutive try attempts. Nina Romá Agvanian, in for Junguenet at Prop, relieved some of the pressure when she made a short gain from River’s end before rolling the ball out to speedy Wing Julia Messing. Both sides battled in the early minutes of the half, an advantage stalemate broken by Katy Wilks’s score from around the outside. Forward play began with Rookie Lane Standige, in for Chrissy Andronico at 8-man. Standige made a solid gain before dishing the ball to Amanda Bernasconi, who powered through Middlesex with aggressive running and rucking. Displaying a fine set of support runs, Standige carried for River, as did Chapman. After a series of short gains, the Rats cycled the ball down the back, through Molly Desmond, Hoover, and out to Wilks who covered the remaining distance to put Charles River up 17-0. Minutes later, Standige and Bernasconi again led the way for River among some discord. Bernasconi pressured Middlesex, disrupting any continuity that the opposition might mount. After being tied up in a maul, Standige broke the ball loose for Charles River. Bernasconi was there for a gain. She rolled the ball out to Messing, who unleashed her trademark speed, erupting over Middlesex ground and into the try zone. Despite some missed connections, the River ladies had collected a comfortable 22-0 lead.

New talent proliferated late in the match for the Ladies in the Orange. Newcomers Sarah Franklin and Krystyna Koz both made carries for Charles River, creating opportunities for the home squad. Rookie Kate Etcheverry stepped in at Hooker, while Lane Standige rucked and ran well from the #8 spot, pushing River back into the Middlesex end late. Veteran Kara McAuliffe, capping a noteworthy performance, touched down River’s final try after a few short punches through the middle. By the game’s close, the Rats had earned a 27-0 shutout, and a 4-0 record. McAuliffe and Chapman were recognized by their captains Alicia Evangelista and Jenn VanKuren; Maegan Hoover earned Middlesex’s Player of the Game nod.

The Ladies of Charles River, engaging an epic intra-Boston battle that will prove their toughest to date, will take on Beantown’s second side on Friday under the lights at Moakley Park. Kickoff will be at 8:30PM.

One Rat if by Land, Three Wins through North Shore

Through two years of aggressive, head-to-head competition, the margin of victory in rival bouts between Charles River and North Shore has never totaled more than one score. The Lady Rats broke with recent tradition this past Saturday, jarring the home team with a 19-7 victory on their turf in Lynn. With the win, Charles River avenged last season’s heartbreaking last-minute kick-for-points defeat against North Shore, while also collecting a third consecutive victory en route to an undefeated start to the fall season.

Aligning themselves within the history of heated contests between the two teams, though, Charles River and North Shore seesawed through the first half. Possessions for both teams were alternately maintained and lost as bodies clashed at the gain line, capturing and losing yardage through the opening minutes of the game. Forwards Kara McAuliffe and Jess Ingram-Bee led the aggressive play of the Ratpack early on—McAuliffe hitting North Shore ball carriers hard enough to cause several turnovers, and Ingram-Bee out-rucking North Shore forwards repeatedly to capture possessions for River. The veteran lineout bases Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio and Chrissy “C” Andronico enabled liftee and Captain Alicia Evangelista to steal three of North Shore’s throw-ins early in the first half. North Shore would strike first, though, after a run through the middle coming from a scrum fifteen meters from River’s try line. With a conversion, they would elevate themselves to 7-0 over the Lady Rats.

The green and orange would not cede momentum to their hosts, however. As they volleyed for possession, Charles River funneled North Shore into the tandem of methodical possession maintenance and quick transition that has buoyed them over their opponents this fall. Fullback Lizzie Chapman, Outside Center Maegan Hoover, and Wing Katy Wilks interlaced several times on the outskirts of the field, passing and gaining yardage for Charles River in loose play. North Shore pressed into River’s end again after consecutive penalties to the Rats. But the Rats’ stalwart defensive efforts, led by aggressive pressure from Flankers Jess Ingram-Bee and Colleen Shea, enabled River to halt the North Shore attack. Breeding offensive opportunity from defensive stoicism, River seized an opportunity for advance. Inside Center Amanda Martin exploded through North Shore’s line, after receiving the ball from the fleet Julia Messing. Martin, off to the races, outpaced all that attempted to catch her. She placed the ball down directly between North Shore’s uprights, bringing the Rats to within two points. On the strength of Flyhalf Alex Schmidt’s conversion effort, River tied the game.

It was a spectacular communicative effort that began the momentum shift late in the second half. Rat forwards and backs signaled and found each other from rucks and scrums, as well as running through loose play. Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie and Flyhalf Alex Schmidt cycled the ball smoothly out to the back line, who passed and sped forward fluidly. 8-man Chrissy “C” Andronico jumped into River’s speed game with ease, as did Fullback Lizzie Chapman. Leigh Wilson, stepping into a back line shuffled after a substitution, made some strong gain for the Rats late in the half. As the referee’s whistle sounded, River’s edge was becoming apparent.

North Shore, who had displayed an aggressive kicking game in the first half, continued to send the ball over the heads of encroaching Charles River defense in the latter part of the game. Fullback Lizzie Chapman, in the middle stages of an impactful performance, was equal to the task. Chapman captured multiple North Shore offerings, returning them to the opponents’ territory. North Shore would threaten again in the second half after recovering a kick that trickled behind the River defensive line. A successful strip from Leigh Wilson, though, foiled the attack, and Captain Alicia Evangelista’s rucking efforts maintained the ball. Outstanding pressure from Jess Ingram-Bee and Amanda Martin would catalyze an opportunity for Charles River. The Rats broke open the deadlocked score when Chrissy “C” Andronico touched down a try on a gain advanced by the efforts of Wilks, Chapman, and Hoover. With the sure-footed Alex Schmidt again converting, the Rats saw their first lead of the game increase to 14-7.

While the momentum scales had been begrudgingly tipping to River’s fortune, Andronico’s try catalyzed the shift. The Lady Rats left North Shore little breathing room in the second half. Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie suffocated her North Shore counterpart coming off the scrums. Jess Ingram-Bee and Leigh Wilson, Flanking the pack, both knocked balls loose on hard hits to North Shore runners, as did Lock Kara McAuliffe. Center Maegan Hoover and Fullback Lizzie Chapman utilized a skillful kicking game to drive the opposition back from gaining yardage. With talented Hooker Lisa Natalicchio stealing North Shore possessions in the scrum as well, River transitioned quickly and rolled back toward the try line. On three separate occasions, The Rats pushed into the North Shore try zone, only for the referee to rule the ball held up. Not yielding to frustration, the Ratpack, powered by McAuliffe and Whitney McCoy in the second row, maintained possession. Wing Katy Wilks, on the outside, finally touched down a try that could not be denied, and River took a 19-7 lead that would stand as the final. The win again showcased a spectacular depth of talent running rampant though the Charles River Roster. While utilizing all of their substitution options, River displayed continuity in skill and momentum

After the game, Captains Alicia Evangelista and Jenn “JVK” VanKuren recognized the outstanding play of Jess Ingram-Bee and Leigh Wilson. Ingram-Bee had been relentless in the Flanker spot all morning. Wilson, who unfortunately suffered a knee injury late in the game, had been a key utility go-to for the Rats, performing admirably as both a back and a forward. North Shore recognized the unremitting efforts of Chrissy “C” Andronico, who had been a power runner in River’s short game, as well as being an unfaltering presence through breakdown play. An excited River squad celebrated the victory, which carried them to a 3-0 record. The Lady Rats will welcome Middlesex to their home Moakley Park in South Boston this coming Saturday. Kickoff is tentatively scheduled for 11:00AM.

Charles River Rifles Past Game Two

The ladies of Charles River rolled out their second consecutive win to open the fall 2010 season when they traveled to Springfield this past weekend. A burgeoning squad of Lady Rats displayed a mix of tenacity, talent, and cohesion across the roster and through both halves, overmatching a feisty Rifle squad. River, by the final whistle, had collected 41 points to Springfield’s fourteen. With the win, the orange and green crossed the century mark in points after only two games, outscoring their opponents 104-14.

Though disorganized in the initial minutes of the match, River settled in, drawing Springfield into their style of play as they coalesced into an aggressive, united front. Led by a strong series of possessions from the forwards, the Rats pushed into the Springfield try zone early. The Rifles held the ball up, but the possession led to a score from the resultant 5-meter scrum. The Rat Pack pushed Springfield back as scrumhalf Erin Gillespie collected the ball for River, transitioning out to flyhalf Rachel Gaines. Gaines began the chain of quick passes and advances through the River back line, through centers Amanda Martin and Molly Desmond, and ending with perennial try-accelerator Katy Wilks, who sped through the Springfield defense for the game’s first score. Fullback Alex Schmidt, beginning a dazzling Saturday afternoon performance, made her first conversion, and River took a lead that they would never relinquish.

Girders of cohesive play formed the foundation for the Rats’ second win; forwards ferociously guarded ball possession, while backs hit the Springfield defensive line hard despite the relentless tackling style of a strong Rifle team. Kara McAuliffe and Chrissy “C” Andronico maintained excellent ball pressure coming from the second row and 8-man spots, respectively. River props Jehanne Junguenet and Captain Alicia Evangelista, along with Hooker Lisa Natalicchio, led a rucking game that rarely wavered. Resultantly, River’s second try came when the Lady Rats outrucked the Rifles, stealing possession. Schmidt, coming from fullback, received the ball, slicing through the Springfield defense to touch down the try. River’s third score also came on the strength of a stalwart Ratpack, flanked by the feisty Jess Ingram-Bee and merciless tackler Amanda Bernasconi. From loose play, veteran #8 Andronico broke for a strong gain, before dishing the ball to slippery wing Julia Messing. Over open ground, Messing unleashed her trademark speed, which slowed only as she was pushed out of bound ten meters from the try line. Hooker Natalicchio scooped the ball back for the Rats on the consequent Springfield scrum. The second stolen possession of the series (and one of many orchestrated by Natalicchio on the afternoon), resulted in a pick-up and then a maul, which River pushed all the way to the Springfield try zone. Chrissy “C” Andronico did the honors for the Rats, touching the ball down after an impressive possession set from the Ratpack.

Springfield would answer once in the first half when their fleet-footed #14 found open ground to the outside. The Rifle wing broke loose, leaving half of the field in her wake. Springfield converted, bringing their tally to seven. They would nearly capitalize twice on the same play, when again their breakneck #14 cut loose around a defensive line of orange jerseys. Her speed was to be matched by River wing Katy Wilks, however, who retreated back, crossing much of the field to catch the opposing wing and thwart the breakaway attempt. Charles River recaptured the momentum, though, when hard-running inside center Amanda Martin cut through the Springfield defense on a nice transition through the back line from scrumhalf Erin Gillespie. At the half, the Rats had touched down four tries to Springfield’s one.

The Rifles came out firing in the second half, pressuring Charles River initially. They touched down their second try early in the half, bringing their tally to fourteen with the conversion. The Rats united almost immediately. Fullback Alex Schmidt’s sure foot sent the Rifles back into their own end to collect the ball multiple times, as a resurgent River again disrupted the balance of power. Flanker Amanda Bernasconi, coming hard off a scrum, stripped the ball from a stunned Rifle forward. In support, pack Rat Flanker Whitney McCoy and lock Anne “Wales” Beaumont began a maul, from which River freed the ball out to the back line. Center Maegan Hoover exploited a hole in the Springfield defensive, before rolling the ball out to conflagrant wing Julia Messing. Messing tore around the outside, punching in River’s fifth score.

Natalicchio, McCoy and Junguenet showcased mathematical possession maintenance for the Rats, and from it, River flourished. As the orange offensive rolled through Springfield territory, it was strong Flank Amanda Bernasconi who would power the ball through pressure deep in the opponents’ zone. Bernasconi touched down her first try of the season, River’s sixth of the match. River closed the afternoon’s scoring when Evangelista made a short push from a support run, after a power gain from Andronico. Showcasing their abyssal depth of talent, River collected seven tries by the final whistle, each from a different member of the squad, and all balanced evenly between forwards and backs. With scores from Wilks, Schmidt, Andronico, Martin, Messing, Bernasconi, and Evangelista, topped with a triple-conversion effort from Schmidt, River had accrued a 41-14 victory while bringing their season record to 2-0. Schmidt and Natalicchio won Player of the Game accolades for their respective efforts at back and forward. Andronico captured Springfield’s nod, having made her presence felt throughout breakdown play during the match.

A brief B-side bout highlighted the talents of River’s newcomers. Leigh Wilson made several noteworthy carries for Charles River late in A-side play and well into River’s abbreviated second match. Rugby neophyte Maggie Mink, on the wing, showed a keen intuition for the game, making multiple carries and possession transitions to teammates in traffic. Lane Standige, whose impressive speed has become apparent early in the season, tried a hand at #8 while River shuffled around a bountiful roster. After replacing Gillespie at scrum half, Colleen Shea scored River’s lone try after Natalicchio, switching from lifter to liftee, stole a Springfield line out. The fledgling second row pairing of Junguenet and Martin provided ruck and run support, while Standige pressured Springfield steadily from the back of the pack. All told, Shea’s try captured a 5-5 tie for Charles River, who left Springfield having scored a combined 46 points on the afternoon.

Charles River looks forward to traveling to battle union rival North Shore this upcoming Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00AM.

Rats Start Off Fall Hungry

If the ladies of Charles River were looking merely to set a tone for the fall this

past weekend at their season opener, they instead rapped a reverberating rugby gong

over Moakley Park. Amidst a picturesque scene beside South Boston’s Carson beach,

the Rats hosted a newly-formed Amoskeag team, welcoming the visitors into the New

England Rugby Football Union with a sound 63-0 defeat in their inaugural match. River

boasted a slew of talent and a roster of depth, easily overpowering their opponents while

utilizing all available subs and still loaning some players to round out the visiting squad.

Tries were plentiful in both halves for Charles River. Starting Wingers Katy Wilks

and Julia Messing led the scoring, tallying three tries and two tries, respectively, all in the

first half. Center Maegan Hoover touched down two tries in the first half as well. With

Fullback Alex Schmidt converting four kicks, River had amassed a 43-0 lead by the

referee’s halftime whistle. The plentiful River tries came on the strength of a

phenomenal pack performance up front. River dominated possession, rucking

consistently over Amoskeag throughout the game. The green and orange bulldozed

Amoskeag in scrum play, stealing six possessions in the first half alone. Messing’s first

try stemmed from an Amoskeag put-in captured by River, as did Hoover’s. The ever-

technically spectacular front row trio of Alicia Evangelista, Lisa Natalicchio, and

Jehanne Junguenet set an impossible standard for Amoskeag to match. Powerhouse

locks Anne Beaumont and Kara McAuliffe helped drive the Rat Pack consistently over

Amoskeag, while flankers Whitney McCoy and Amanda Bernasconi pressured

Amoskeag without hesitation.

Bernasconi, flanking the pack, played an impressive match for the Lady Rats.

Bernasconi flew off the scrums all morning, bringing with her an aggressive tackling style

that knocked several Amoskeag carries loose. Bernasconi was recognized later by

captains Evangelista and Jenn Van Kuren as the Forward of the Game. Her tackles

infectiously energized an accelerating Rat Pack into a series of mercilessly hard hits.

Vet lock McAuliffe also knocked several balls out of Amoskeag’s stunned hands in the

first half, as did Chrissy “C” Andronico, coming from the 8-man spot. Combining power

and finesse, the River forwards displayed precise vision and flow, passing and running

through Amoskeag territory with ease. Junguenet and Evangelista connected several

times on short passes, and Andronico showcased an agility and speed finely tuned over

the off-season. With ball carriers tackled, the River forwards fluidly maintained

possession with nearly instantaneously-formed rucks. They maintained possession with

little challenge from Amoskeag.

River’s transition game through the halfbacks shined all morning. Scrumhalf Erin

Gillespie dug the ball out of scrum play with ease as Andronico communicated with and

held the pack. Gillespie’s sure hands coupled with the well-greased pivot point created

by flyhalf Rachel Gaines’ noteworthy play. Gaines read the Amoskeag defense

throughout the match, both calling and facilitating the back line plays that would lead to many River tries. Gaines earned a Bitch of the Pitch nod for the River backs as she

orchestrated the aqueous transition across the line. For their part, the River backs

played Gaines’ calls to the note. Centers Amanda Martin and Maegan Hoover read the

field extremely well, alternately punching through openings in the Amoskeag defense

and dishing the ball down the line to Schmidt at fullback and out to explosive wings Wilks

and Messing.

In the second half, River showcased a deep and talented roster. Lori White and

Jess Ingram-Bee flanked the pack, continuing the swift running and rucking play of their

predecessors. Quick transition, led by scrumhalf Colleen Shea, led to an inaugural

Charles River try from rookie Rat Leigh Wilson at Center. Wilson made several gains for

River throughout the second half, pairing with Molly Desmond to create a strong, sure-

handed middle to the back line. Desmond and Wilson connected throughout the second

half, leading to several instances of forward progress for River as well as to Wilson’s try.

Andronico, too, made her presence felt in the second half. She touched down

two tries, one after Desmond plucked a loose ball from the air before threading the ball

through the River back line. In a clinic-type demonstration of support running, Andronico

followed, receiving the ball from a teammate in traffic and powering over the remaining

distance to the Amoskeag try line. Andronico’s second try, River’s last, came on the

strength of a pass from rookie Maggie Mink, playing in her inaugural match. Mink and

Andronico connected for two passes before Andronico broke up the left sideline for the

score. Between Andronico’s two scores, rookie wing Lane Standige broke on a long

run for her first try with River after a series of punishing tackles from the Rat pack. Jess

Ingram-Bee and Kara McAuliffe both knocked balls loose from Amoskeag, resulting in

River recoveries. Steph Wooler, subbing at flyhalf, rolled the ball out for Desmond and

Wilson. After Wilson sliced deftly through the Amoskeag defensive line, she dished the

ball to Junguenet waiting in forward support, who then saw Standige on the outside, who then took the ball into the try zone. The Rats finished the match with astaggering sixty-three points.

Afterwards, the Chuck River ladies hosted Amoskeag at Charlestown’s Tavern

on the Water for a sunny afternoon of socializing on Boston Harbor. Maegan Hoover,

who played well on both sides after loaning herself to a shorthanded Amoskeag, was

recognized by the visitors for playing alternately to their detriment, and then to their

advantage. Bernasconi and Gaines earned Player of the Game nods from their own

captains. The Lady Rats would like to thank all the fans that came to share their first

victory at Moakley, and Amoskeag for coming out to play and wish them good luck in the rest of their season.

River will travel to Springfield this Saturday, September 18th to challenge the Rifles in their second union match.

North Shore: Tee for Too

Thirty-five ladies in orange and green held synchronous inhales as they watched North Shore attempt a conversion kick with less than two minutes remaining in the match on Saturday. With mingled sweat and rain running down their temples, the Lady Rats watched the kicker drive the ball in a low arc. Puddles lay beneath their feet, growing deeper with the passing minutes of torrential rain. With bodies exhausted from an epic back-and-forth battle through the mud with their division rivals, Charles River watched as the kick sailed just inside the right post. North Shore celebrated wildly as they pulled ahead 7-5 with little time left for CRWRFC to counter. The visitors celebrated again shortly, as the referee’s treble whistle pierced a devastated silence along the River sideline.

Charles River and North Shore collided early and battled for the entirely of the match’s 80 minutes. In the first half, the River ladies kept excellent pressure on North Shore. They gathered momentum early in the game, on a background of stalwart forward play led by the spectacular rucking of Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet and the aggressive tackles of Chrissy “C” Andronico. River pressed over the visitors’ turf, grinding away at the North Shore defense. North Shore met the Rats with force, and the two teams battled back and forth around the 22-meter mark. The press into North Shore’s end was cut short by encroaching thunderstorms, and River’s momentum was halted by weather. Both teams retreated from host MIT’s Briggs Field to seek shelter.

When the first half resumed with only fifteen minutes having expired from play, the rivals continued to butt heads. North Shore broke into Charles River territory, answering River’s pressure from before the unscheduled break. Alex Schmidt (later North Shore’s Opponent Pick of the Game) cleared the ball several times from fullback, while the forwards held the pressure from the opposition. As the teams warmed again, Charles River drove North Shore back across midfield with a series of sharp runs from the back line. The River backs passed, popped and shuffled the ball, sharing excellent communication through the middle. Fullback Schmidt used well-placed kicks to initiate a North Shore retreat. The ubiquitous Rachel Gaines made a solid start at Flyhalf, engineering the plays that would gain territory for River. She commanded the back line, strategically positioning the Rat backs’ offensive drive. Gaines, as always, kept River focused defensively. She called for a unified movement through the back that kept the Rats sharp against encroaching North Shore plays. Gaines was recognized at the Back of the Game by captains Evangelista and VanKuren.

While the attack of both teams ebbed and flowed, Outside Center Maegan Hoover was a pivot point throughout the morning; her sure hands reeled in passes and loose balls despite the adverse field conditions. Hoover made multiple short runs, punching through the North Shore line before connecting with the River wings. She linked several times with Wings Katy Wilks and Julia Messing, whose explosive speed led to many short gains for River. Keeping a dynamic play style, the Ratpack and Rat backs mixed their tactics and ball movement. Flankers Lupe Thun and Carisa “K” Weaver both shined. Each ran and rucked, tackled and exploded through the North Shore line with uncompromising intensity. For all their efforts, and for all the Rats’ pressure, however, neither Charles River nor North Shore gained any points by the conclusion of the first half.

After boisterous words of encouragement from Coach Hal Baker, as well as points of focus from Captains Evangelista and VanKuren, the Rats reengaged with North Shore. The game’s latter minutes proved just as tight a battle. The Ratpack, as always outweighed, held its own through scrum play. With veteran anchors Kara McAuliffe and Anne “Wales” Beaumont powering River from the second row, River jumped on possession opportunities and ran with confidence. Donning boots heavy with water and uniforms splattered with mud, both teams pressed back and forth. Charles River continued to excel in the rucking game on the strength of Junguenet’s sustained effort. Junguenet repeatedly led the way into pressure, allowing River to maintain ball possession with consistency. In one memorable effort with the ball tied up in a maul for River, she single-handedly drove the pack from a deadlock, rolling the maul forward for a River gain. Junguenet and Andronico made themselves nearly impassible against the North Shore attack, while they motivated a Ratpack that moved lithely as a unit. Amidst the back-and-forth battling, Erin Gillespie played a brilliant game at Scrumhalf. Even with slippery field conditions, Gillespie pulled the ball from traffic with precision. Gillespie rucked, ran, and passed, completing a well-rounded effort that held the Rats steady through the middle, and sharp in transition.

With ten minutes remaining in the second half, River was awarded a penalty after a North Shore infraction. Carisa “K” Weaver, continuing her impressive performance, took the ball through the North Shore defense from the penalty marker. Weaver gained significant yardage for CRWRFC before dishing the ball to Chrissy “C” Andronico, whose unwavering efforts earned her a Bitch of the Pitch award for the forwards. Andronico, who ran in consistent support all game, powered through the North Shore field. As multiple defenders impeded her progress, Andronico dished the ball to Anne “Wales” Beaumont, who followed to support her. Beaumont, consistently a power runner for River, broke to gain the final yards before the try line, touching down for a Rat score. Rats on the field and off celebrated alike, as the home River ladies took the lead, scoring the first points in a match that was deadlocked for seven-eighths of its duration. River missed its conversion, but returned to midfield for a kickoff with only minutes remaining, leading 5-0.

The pressure from both sides reached a crescendo in the final minutes. North Shore pushed the Rats back into their zone as the clock dwindled. They seized the opportunity to answer River’s try when they jumped on a loose ball near the try zone. With two quick advances, they touched down the ball to erase the Charles River lead with two minutes remaining in the game. With the score tied at 5, River watched North Shore line up a long conversion attempt. As the kicker launched the ball, the outcome of the game riding on its trajectory, all eyes followed. It cut though the air, and through the rain, reaching its apex and then curving back down. Before the parabolic path reached its end, the ball passed through the corner of the uprights. North Shore took the 7-5 lead. Charles River would not have time to respond.

It was obvious that the Lady Rats had given themselves wholly to the effort—there was an immediate emotional deflation after the closing whistle. Amidst pats on the back, hugs, and a few tears, Captain Alicia Evangelista stepped forward to congratulate the Rats on a spectacular effort. Coach Hal Baker and Captain Jenn “JVK” VanKuren echoed her sentiments, expressing great satisfaction with and esteem for both the Charles River team and its accomplishments. “Sometimes,” Baker consoled, “you just run into some bad luck.” The Lady Rats exchanged congratulations among teammates for a match comprised of strong play, energy, resolution, and cohesiveness. Finding consolation in these positives, River vowed to build on the momentum of consistent improvement over the course of this spring season before their NERFU tournament.

Mirroring last week’s play schedule, the B-side began the action before the A-side took the field. The Rats met a skilled, strong MIT squad at their home Briggs Field in Cambridge. The former Division III national champion college squad swallowed much of the Charles River attack, and the B-side Lady Rats fell to the Engineers, unable to score a try during the weather-shortened game. River had trouble containing the MIT offensive, which powered though the line with consistency. Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet led the rucking effort for River, beginning the strong performance that she would bring to the A-side afterwards. Rookie Rat Molly Desmond had a strong game as well. Desmond ran in support of her teammates throughout the game, providing a frequent offload option for the CRWRFC offense. Rat Captain Alicia Evangelista also excelled, demonstrating her trademark dependability at the prop position. Evangelista provided steadfast support to her teammates in the rucks, while simultaneously manifesting herself as a nearly impenetrable point on the River defensive line. The star of the B-side, however, was Rookie Diana Ekman. Ekman demonstrated spectacular speed at the wing position. She caught several passes down the line, accelerating effortlessly into the MIT line. Despite her speed to the outside, however, River could not touch a ball down in the MIT try zone. When lightning halted the game in the second half, the Engineers took a decisive win from their home turf.

The Charles River ladies received the news this week that they would have the chance to avenge their heartbreaking loss at the New England Rugby Football Union tournament in Newport, RI, on Saturday. They will face Middlesex at 8AM, and will reinitiate the battle with rival North Shore at 12 noon. These games, and any ensuing ones, will be played at Fort Adams State Park in Newport. The Rats have built their spring season in anticipation of this tournament, and look forward to showcasing their excellence in the quest for some NERFU hardware.

Rats leave Worcester Shamshocked

As the Green and Orange met the Shamrocks, the Charles River ladies seized a winning record with an exclamation point this weekend in Worcester. The Lady Rats won in decisive fashion, defeating the home Shamrocks 36-5 as they traveled to the base of Mount Saint James.

The phenomenally fast River wings did most of the scoring honors on Saturday, but, as always, the breakout plays started with hard-fought and well-maintained possessions made from the Ratpack, and smooth transition though the line. River began the tallies when Flanker Amanda Bernasconi broke loose with possession at the beginning of the game. After making significant progress, Bernasconi dished the ball to winger Julia Messing, who broke into an unstoppable sprint up the sideline. Messing jiggled and sidestepped around several defenders, displaying an impressively evasive running style to compliment her superlative speed. Flyhalf Alex Schmidt threaded a successful conversion kick, and the Rats had a lead they would keep for the game’s entirety.

Worcester answered with one score when the Shamrocks wrestled the ball across the right side of the CRWRFC try line, but the flood gates had opened for River. The Lady Rats would reply to Worcester’s one try with five unanswered scores. Winger Katy Wilks busted into the try zone after a showcase of fluid offloads through a united River squad. A steadfast Ratpack won the ball out to Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, whose play calls foiled the Worcester defense all day. Schmidt transitioned the ball to Maegan Hoover, playing in the center spot. Hoover broke the gain line for the Rats, before offloading to veteran powerhouse Chrissy “C” Andronico, who ran in support. Andronico gained significant yardage for River before cycling the ball out to Wilks, who exploded forward for the score. Wilks made her way to the center of the try zone before touching down the ball, setting up a straight-on conversion for Alex Schmidt.

The Rats consistently pressured Worcester late in the first half. This pressure earned them the opportunity for a third try when a panicked Shamrock team, backed into its own end, attempted a clearing kick. Aggressive Flanker Amanda Bernasconi charged forward to block Worcester’s clear attempt. An alert Rachel Gaines scooped up the ball and ran it into the try zone to make the score 19-5 for Charles River. To close the second half, Gaines continued to take charge of the Rats’ line, keeping the speedy backs organized and focused on execution and defensive alignment. Likewise, Kara McAuliffe led an aggressive Ratpack with a multitude of hard hits and uncompromising rucks that secured possession for River through the first half and into the second. Leading by example, the veteran McAuliffe, alongside Lupe Thun, powered the Rats’ scrums to success from the second row. McAuliffe would earn Bitch of the Pitch for the forwards after the game.

After the break, the Charles River ladies picked up where they left off. On a lineout to the Rats, the veteran trio of Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio, Chrissy “C” Andronico, and captain Alicia Evangelista, the league’s only jumping prop, gained the ball for River. Through a series of well-maintained possessions by Charles River, the Lady Rats pushed into Shamrock territory. On another excellent transition through scrumhalf Erin Gillespie, Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, and Inside Center Rachel Gaines, the ball came to Maegan Hoover, who punched it through for River. Hoover was the backs’ Star of the Game on Saturday both for her key runs through the middle, and for her spectacular hands, which are consistently the envy of River opposition. Hoover fired the ball out to the wing, where Katy Wilks took it around the outside for her second try of the day.

Despite adverse conditions in the rucks, scrumhalf Erin Gillespie put forth an excellent effort on behalf of the Lady Rats. The veteran Gillespie managed to pull the ball out cleanly for Charles River, facilitating the explosive play that carried River over the Shamrocks. The fourth River try, however, resulted from a line out steal by the Evangelista-Natalicchio-Andronico trio. With the ball secured for the visiting ladies, River’s quick transitional ability again became apparent. Well into the Rats’ own end, winger Julia Messing caught the ball. On a highlight reel run, Messing took the ball up the Rats’ sideline. She ducked around several oncoming Shamrocks, none of which possessed the speed to stop the rushing Messing. Charles River’s number 14 accelerated through the offensive side of the field, then over the twenty-two meter mark, and up the left sideline. Messing did not stop until she reached the Worcester try zone, where she touched down to complete her spectacular run and give her team a 29-5 lead.

Katy Wilks completed her hat-trick, closing the Rat offensive with a long break near the right sideline after a pass from Maegan Hoover in the middle. Wilks, who eluded Worcester tacklers all afternoon, earned an Opposition Star of the Game appointment from the Shamrocks, who begrudgingly admitted their inability to tackle the fleet wing. After another successful Schmidt conversion, the Rats had tallied 36 points to Worcester’s 5. That score would stand as the final.

The ladies of Charles River congratulated themselves on a victory gained through intensity, determination, cohesion and focus. As the spring season culminates at the upcoming NERFU tournament, the Lady Rats look to sustain the fastidious play that they successfully manifested over the course of the game on Saturday.

In a reversal from usual scheduling, the day kicked off with B-side play, where River met a strong Holy Cross squad near the home team’s campus. The River ladies faltered in their alignment and organization against a Crusader team that recognized and seized opportunities left to them by Charles River. The Rats struggled to contain the HC offensive, which included several strong cut-back runs, which were well-supported from behind.

Amidst struggles for the B-side River ladies, Lizzie Chapman had a noteworthy game for CRWRFC. Chapman made her fullback debut in B-side play, challenging Holy Cross with several well-placed kicks. Chapman also ran prolifically, punching through the purple defensive line on numerous occasions. She garnered a B-side Bitch of the Pitch award for her impressive effort in an unfamiliar position. Charles River Captain Alicia Evangelista, who, for lack of prop subs, played in both games on Saturday, was another bright spot in the Rat’s first game. Evangelista and rookie Jess Ingram-Bee took the brunt of the rucking weight, forcing back Crusader defenders while motivating the pack. As River made generous substitutions late in the game, play leveled and the CRWRFC starters began to motivate themselves for the ensuing barrage against Worcester.

As a result of the efforts on the weekend, Charles River now owns a winning record of 3-2. The Lady Rats have scheduled a determined practice set for the week, after which they will host their rivals from Northshore. Charles River will host the visitors at MIT on Saturday. The B-side match against MIT will begin at 9AM; the A-side will battle Northshore at 11.

The Rat to Bear Arms...Rats Fire Back at the Rifles

It could have been the heavy loss at the hands of Burlington last week, or coach Carl Morris’ Tuesday practice sprint session, or perhaps the reconfiguration of last Thursday’s training session into Social Practice—all of which represent viable possibilities. Whatever the catalyst, though, the women of Charles River brought an agenda to the pitch against Springfield. Sporting a deep lineup and a lot of fire, the Lady Rats went barnstorming—accruing fifty-three points at their home Moakley Park on Saturday.

The Rats had it going on. They brought an uncompromising defense for most of the game, meeting Springfield at the gain line with force. Utilizing a consistently aggressive style of play, excellent communication and a quickness that separates them from most opposing forwards, the Ratpack charged at Springfield early in the game and maintained pressure throughout the match. Veteran Prop Jehanne Junguenet shined defensively for River. Junguenet pressured the visiting Rifles all afternoon, squelching their offense by initiating a united Charles River defensive line that consistently stifled any semblance of Springfield momentum. Junguenet had several influential individual efforts on the day as well, helping hold possession for River with numerous rucks and tackles. She was the Captains’ choice for Forward of the Game. Chrissy “C” Andronico also had a noteworthy match at 8-man, where she commanded a fiercely united Ratpack. Andronico positioned the ball with precision in scrum play for scrumhalf Erin Gillespie, who transitioned the ball smoothly out to the backs.

On the strength of smooth 8-9-10 flow, the svelte Rat backs had a chance to excel. The orange and green outran their Rifle counterparts both in tight space and through open field. River broke for run after run, finally able to showcase their brilliant speed under favorable field conditions. Utilizing passes to the outside, the Charles River centers and wings combined for four tries in the first half. Rookie Rat Amanda Miller persistently baffled the Springfield defensive line. The Rifles were unable to stop the explosive Outside Center, who dashed continuously through them en route to her first two career Charles River tries. Miller represented the Backs for a Star of the Game selection. With able flyhalf and kicker Alex Schmidt converting four of River’s six first-half tries, the Lady Rats had erected themselves a towering 38-7 lead at the break.

The depth of the Charles River Women’s squad became evident late in the game, as they maintained their intensity level and dominance with a reconstructed lineup. Rookie Laura Will, normally a speedy alternate wing for the Lady Rats, made her fullback debut. Whitney McCoy also subbed in for the orange and green, bringing her excellent defensive focus into the pack. Charles River punched in three more tries before the closing whistle, collecting a total of fifty-three points on the afternoon. It had been a strong effort, rife with camaraderie and intensity, flowing with communication and near-effortless transition. Coach Carl Morris, who had reworked the River pre-game warmup to extract the energy that would drive his team over Springfield, spoke very positively of CRWRFC’s performance. He emphasized the demonstrable improvement River has made over the first half of the season, while citing other areas to focus on as well. He hopes to do some fine tuning on an increasingly stingy defense this week.

River’s B-side has rolled over its opponents this season, and Saturday made no exception. The ladies of the second match took it to Springfield again, driving in five scores and making two wins for the Lady Rats under the sun at Moakley. River rucked and ran all afternoon, punishing a dwindling roster of Rifles already subsidized with replacement Rats. Charles River Vet Colleen Shea made herself a ubiquitous field presence during the afternoon. Earlier, Shea had subbed into the A-side at scrumhalf; she kept the pressure on Springfield in B-side play, while also making the conversion attempts on the many tries of River’s second game.

As before, River’s speed was evident. Streaks of orange dashed up the sidelines and through the middle as the Rats utilized fluid ball movement and vision toward the open field. Julia Messing had an especially impressive run, covering nearly two-thirds of the pitch after a series of passes that circulated out to the wing. Rookie Diana Ekman had the opportunity to showcase her gazelle-like stride though open field, while former Holy cross star Molly Desmond transitioned the ball out through the back line with fluid precision. Desmond sparked passes to the inside and outside, creating a pivot point for much of the back line play on the afternoon. Her sure hands earned her the B-side Bitch of the Pitch award from River Captains Alicia Evangelista and Jenn “JVK” Van Kuren. In the Ratpack, newcomer Leigh Ricci had a strong game as well, making multiple tackles to contain the Rifle offensive. Ricci also made several punch runs to gain yards for the Rats, providing an assist to another win for CRWRFC.

With all of the thirty-five-plus roster seeing action in the orange jerseys this weekend, the River Women demonstrated a piquant unity that is the envy of their opposition. As a team consistently marked by heart and grit, CRWRFC is building itself into a formidable opponent with each technical improvement. The Rats looks to roll their momentum into Worcester this weekend, for a 10am match (B-side) and 12pm A-side start against the Shamrocks.

Burly Girls Tip the Scoreboard

The Rats ran into a wall of “Burly Girls” at Moakley Park this past week. Though never deficient in effort, they lacked the size, strength and power that would buoy Burlington through another waterlogged Saturday match. The Green Mountainwomen pounded CRWRFC through the middle, and by the game’s close had amassed a plethora of points to River’s single score. Charles River’s speed and athleticism served them with several runs on the outside, though they were hard pressed to halt Burlington from stampeding through the middle of the pitch. The Rats struggled to contend in the rucks, and though they improved as minutes evaporated from the muddy match, they faced a three-score hole already by the half.

Bright spots became more frequent for the Lady Rats as time progressed. River, making it a point to spread offensive possession whenever possible, broke through several times on the periphery of the field. Winger Katy Wilks did yeoman work Saturday, completing full A and B-side games. She earned a backs’ Bitch of the Pitch selection from the captains for the acute speed and vision that helped her explode over Burlington territory on multiple occasions. Fullback Maegan Hoover also played a strong game for the Rat backs, collecting positive yardage for Charles River throughout the second half.

Though vastly outweighed and largely out-muscled, the Charles River Lady Rat pack held its own in scrum play, owing to experience, cohesion and technical prowess. Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio won Burlington’s Opponent Bitch of the Pitch nod. The contrast in pack size and style was not lost on the Burly ladies, who chose Nattalicchio after remarking what an impressive performance had been turned in by what their captain called “the smallest hooker [she had] ever seen.”

River scored late in the game on a spectacular individual effort by Anne “Wales” Beaumont. On a penalty awarded to Charles River, Beaumont took a quick tap inside the 22-meter marker, dashing through the retreating Burlington defense. Beaumont rolled off several tackle attempts as she approached the try line. She finished an impressive run with an equally impressive touch-down, executing a spin move away from a final defender while stretching down into the try zone. Beaumont collected the forwards’ Bitch of the Pitch honors on the day.

The Rats scratched again at the Burlington try line late in the game, but in the end were forced to settle for the one score in a heavy loss. Head coach Carl Morris, after the game, praised the hearts of the tiny Rats, who had maintained motivation and intensity despite a Burlington scorecard rolling like a stock ticker. Morris cited various improvements to be made, and vowed to remold River’s strategic focus during the week.

The CRWRFC B-side, by contrast, continued to roll. Multiple Lady Rats made their presences known to Burlington as they captured the game, outscoring the Burly B-side two tries to one. Veteran Andrea Polcaro began the honors as she scored her first career try on a short burst through the center. Polcaro touched the ball down to give Charles River a lead they would maintain for the game’s entirety.

CRWRFC newcomer Holly Leonard played a noteworthy match on the wing, combining her speed and agility with several pop kicks over approaching Burlington tacklers to advance the ball. In selecting Leonard as River’s star for the B-side game, captain Alicia Evangelista cited one highlight reel play in which Leonard kicked the ball over the encroaching Burlington line, and then quickly advanced to tackle the player who caught it. Nicole “Chaboozi” Bure too had another strong game for Charles River. Bure earned a selection from Burlington for her play, which included several forceful runs and hard tackles. Jess Ingram-Bee also continued to excel for the orange and green. Ingram-Bee touched down the second Rat try, while also completing several runs through tight space in Burlington’s defensive end. The petite Ingram-Bee invigorated her teammates as she made decisive tackles on much larger Burlington players. Afterwards, coaches Morris and Hal Baker continued to express positive opinions of River’s performances in second games this season.

The Lady Rats redeemed themselves at Charlestown’s Tavern on the Water, where the core of River’s Game Stars defeated Portland’s in head-to-head social competition. Charles River hopes to take their winning ways back to the turf this Saturday at Moakley Park, when the orange and green will host Springfield at 2:00pm.

Charles W. River

The ladies of Charles River built their first victory from the ground up this past Saturday, christening Moakley Park with the freshly-painted try lines they would later cross en route to a come-from-behind win against Portland, Maine. The match showcased a self-motivated surge that unified an initially frustrated collection of Lady Rats into a steamrolling ensemble of intensity, grit and skill that overpowered Portland before the game’s end.

Early in the first half, Portland recovered a loose ball in Charles River’s try zone after a violently gusty wind had foiled multiple River attempts to send the ball down field via kick. Portland steadfastly held the pressure on River, pushing them back into their own end. The visitors made it 10-0 when they successfully touched down another try despite several Charles River players trying to hold the ball up; and the Lady Rats found themselves down by two scores before the conclusion of a half hour of play.

The tipping scoreboard awakened something in the River ladies. As they returned to midfield to kick the ball back to a Portland team that commanded much of the match’s first third, veteran members of the Rat squad began a vociferous campaign for a turnaround bid. In one congruous effort, Charles River began a defensive insurgency that ground the forging Portland offensive to a halt. With River sprouting an assembled resistance, Portland was unable to score again and it remained 10-0 at the half.

A different pack of Lady Rats emerged in the second forty minutes, after words of focus and motivation from captains Alicia Evangelista and Jenn “JVK” VanKuren, and coaches Carl Morris and Hal Baker. With channeled indivisibility, River began to turn things around. The Rat forwards maintained possession, making several short, powerful runs. They orchestrated a fluid series of intra-pack offloads, while also maintaining ball control during breakdowns. River also held a series of spectacular line outs. The veteran trio of captain Alicia Evangelista, Chrissy “C” Andronico and Linda Morris seized numerous Portland throws, initiating key possession changes that helped turn the tide for River.

Though the grassroots of a Rat comeback began late in the first half, it started to manifest itself in points when center Jenny “JFo” Forshner punched in Charles River’s first try on a power run through multiple stunned Portland defenders. The Lady Rats, buoyed by their score, began to turn frustrations into triumphs. Stretches of River possession lengthened as communication and organization mounted for CRWRFC. On the strength of sharpened passes and strong rucks, the Rat pack and Rat backs worked together to drive onto Portland’s turf. Amanda Bernasconi made several crucial picks in forward play while she anchored a strong River scrum in her debut at 8-man. Bernasconi earned a Bitch of the Pitch nod after turning in a glittering effort befitting a seasoned #8.

River tied the game when CRWRFC powerhouse Chrissy ‘C” Andronico charged over Portland’s turf, touching down the ball in the left side of Portland’s try zone. River celebrated, then watched as flyhalf Alex Schmidt attempted the long conversion. In wind that had prevented either kicker from splitting the uprights all morning, Schmidt laced a hard liner that collided with the right post. River took back to the ground with the score 10-10.

Reading both the wind and the Portland defense, Schmidt made a series of play calls that led the Rat backs to break into a string of successful carries. Fullback Maegan Hoover, who had chased down all of Portland’s windswept kicks in the first half, twice broke to inside the visitors’ five meter line. Jess Ingram-Bee also proved slippery for Portland, bypassing several defenders during runs late in the game. By maintaining pressure, the Lady Rats crafted themselves an opportunity to take the match. While they backed the opponents into their own try zone, River swallowed a frantic Portland attempt to clear the ball with a kick. Madame President Lisa Natalicchio, River’s skilled Hooker, touched the ball down in the Portland zone, giving the Rats the lead for the first time. In a display of conversion-kicking prowess, Alex Schmidt captured the two points despite what Coach Carl Morris called a “fifteen point wind”. It would be the only kick that either team converted during the game. Schmidt earned the captains’ nod for backs’ Bitch of the Pitch after contributing numerous influential play calls, reads, passes, kicks, and instructions to her teammates during the match.

River would maintain possession and pressure through the final minutes, and, with the three unanswered second-half tries, and one conversion kick, they would take the win with a final score of 17-10. The Rats were keen to celebrate a spectacular effort and momentum shift that carried them to their first victory. The coaching staff and captains praised the heart of the Charles River ladies, who, despite initial struggles, had spurred themselves into the dominant unit that would earn the W.

Minutes later, the ladies of Chuck River and Portland reset for a B-side bout that rubber-stamped Saturday’s Rat reign. Catalyzing a new and skillful set of River ladies, Colleen Shea pulled double-duty to help lead River to a second victory after flanking the A-side pack. Shea made several hard tackles and strong runs for River before breaking into the Portland try zone for the Rat’s first score. Shea would also attempt the conversions for Charles River’s second game, resorting to dropkicks after a feisty wind kept the ball from resting on the tee.

The Lady Rats would put down another after Nicole “Chaboozi” Bure, also making a return appearance, tossed aside Portland defenders and broke free for a long run down field. Bure would be Portland’s Pick of the Game for Saturday, as the visitors cited their inability to contain the power forward during either match. Portland finally made the tackle well inside their 22-yard marker, but River’s Lupe Thun had been running in support of Bure. Thun scooped up the ball and covered the remaining distance, touching the ball down to bring the Lady Rats to ten points.

An inaugural CRWRFC try occurred for newcomer Diana Ekman, when the speedy wing received a pass on the edge of the Portland defense. The Ratpack and Rat backs had moved the ball well together all afternoon, and Ekman’s try represented no exception. A series of cerebral plays and well-timed transition, led by scrumhalf Steph Wooler, moved the ball fluidly out to Ekman, who over matched Portland though open space. Colleen Shea would place a dropkick through the uprights, bringing the afternoon to twin 17-10 tallies in favor of Charles River. Shea took home the captain’s honors for B-side play after her influential and well-rounded performance. Again impressed with a congealed squad of Lady Rats, captains and coaches applauded a second resolute effort from the team on the day.

River completed its hat trick of W’s as the orange and green hosted Portland for a post-game social at Charlestown’s Tavern on the Water. With the Boston skyline and the afternoon sun both glittering on the harbor, the Rats of the Game edged out the Maine ladies, coming from behind once again.

Charles River will host Burlington, Vermont, this Saturday the 17^th at their home Moakley Park. Kickoff time is scheduled for 2pm.