River Surprises DII Burly Girls

Charles River handily upset their Division II visitors from Burlington last weekend at their home Moakley Park, with a sound 39-0 win. The blazing River offense put up seven tries against their higher-division opponents, while holding the Vermont visitors scoreless. The victory brought Charles River to 5-0 overall, with a 4-0 divisional record. The green and orange have amassed 144 points during the fall season, while allowing only 12 points against to their opposition.

The early moments of the game remained evenly matched between squads. Burlington relied heavily on their forwards to make progress with the ball, while River stoutly held their defense against a larger team. The gridlock was broken at 17:30 into the match, when Prop Chrissy “C” Andronico wove through the outside quarter of the field, before popping to Wing Katy Wilks. Wilks broke up the sideline, making a sharp cut in to avoid two defenders, throwing a stiff arm, and breaking through to the try zone.

River would roll on the momentum for the rest of the match. Despite, as ever, being outweighed, the Ratpack was tremendous in set play, retaining each of the Charles River scrums, while stealing one from Burlington. Locks Sabrina Neuman and Kara McAuliffe anchored a tight scrum, and the agile Lane Standige rolled off the back several times for substantial River gains.

The River backs threaded the ball beautifully all match, anchored by the quick-thinking Captain Jenn “JVK” VanKuren at Flyhalf. Amanda Martin teamed with Molly Desmond through the middle; both moved the ball well, providing opportunities for Wilks and Julia Messing on the outside. VanKuren would have an outstanding game for River, touching down two tries including the game’s second, and another, featuring a chip kick over the Burlington defense. VanKuren recovered her own kick before sprinting past the try line on an impressive personal effort.

The ever-threatening Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh at Flanker formed a formidable trio with 8-man Lane Standige and Linda Morris. The three exploded from set plays, and wove through the Burlington line in loose play. Prop Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet represented herself as a formidable foe in rucks throughout the match. Junguenet singlehandedly captured several balls for River with her alert and agile defense. She ran with agility as well, earning herself one try after a series of phases through the forwards in the first half, and another after a lengthy River possession late in the second half.

Formidable pack Rats Whitney McCoy and Rookie Julie Trautwein made a seamless transition in the second half, holding the Burlington forwards back and handily maintaining possession for River. With added tries from Fullback Alex Schmidt, the self-orchestrated kick and chase from Van Kuren, and Junguenet’s second, River had amassed six scores by late in the second half. With Schmidt lacing conversions on each of VanKuren’s tries, and the Ratpack touching down a seventh and final try at the 80:00 minute mark, the Lady Rats earned themselves the 39-0 victory.

Charles River would like to thank the ladies of Burlington for making the long trip down during the bye week for the match. River would also like to thank their loyal fan base, including the River Old Girls, who came to support them this past Saturday. The Lady Rats would also like to thank Stadium Bar & Grill of Old Colony Road in South Boston for hosting the post-game social. Charles River will don their trademark orange jerseys one final time this season, while traveling to New Hampshire Saturday October 15, to face Amoskeag. Kickoff is scheduled for 1PM.

Lady Rats leave Monsoons Weathered

The orange and green-clad ladies of Charles River pulled out a 66-0 shutout against former club rival North Shore Women’s Rugby on October 1^st. On yet another rainy, muddy fall Saturday, the Rats gathered at Moakley Park before a sparse crowd of resilient fans. River scored early and often, with Inside Center and former team MVP Amanda Martin leading the charge with three tries. The Ratpack was indomitable, led by the veteran front-row trio of Chrissy “C” Andronico, Captain Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio and Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet. Despite a marked size advantage in the pack, North Shore was unable to gain much momentum in the face of the technically-superb River scrum. Second rows Kara McAuliffe and Jordan Ciciliano dug in, allowing little wiggle room for the North Shore push. McAuliffe would punch in two tries on the afternoon as well.

Charles River’s loose forwards have made names for themselves throughout the division this season, and the North Shore match bred no exception. The hard-hitting Flankers Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh and Susan Lackey punished ball carriers, while making aggressive advances themselves. Number 8 Lane Standige played a tremendous game, orchestrating the River scrum from the back, running with authority, and playing aggressive defense. Standige, liftee in the River lineouts, also stole several of North Shore’s throw-ins, forcing key possession changes.

River newcomer Julie “Traut” Trautwein made a strong showing from the pack, turning heads with her aggressive tackles and impenetrable defense. And Cassie Cox, gaining momentum each week after returning from a knee injury, showcased sharp running and tackling skills. With the stellar forward-back combination and spot-on kicking of Alex Schmidt, River amassed a 66 point total, boosting themselves to 4-0 on the season. The real headline, though, continues to be the Charles River defense, which has allowed only 12 points against through four matches played. After facing North Shore, River looks forward to a bye week, with a scheduled match against Burlington.

River Upsets Worcester in Injury Time

The Charles River Women’s Rugby Football Club secured an upset single-score victory over new D-III rivals Worcester this Saturday on the Shamrocks’ home turf. On an extremely humid day at the foot of Mount Saint James, the Rats’ Amanda Martin took the final carry of a long string of River possessions over the try line in injury time. The score, the only one of the match for either team, catapulted River to a 3-0 record and first place in their division, under the tutelage of head coach Jessica Balogh and assistant coach and master statistician Hal Baker.

On an overcast day in The Woo, the stage was set for an epic defensive battle between the reigning NERFU DIII champion Rats, and the Shamrocks, down from DII for the first time. Both teams traded ineffective blows in the first half. Play teetered through the middle of the field as forwards punched through the middle without large gains. Back play was largely stifled on either side. River had trouble getting the ball out to the wing. The Shamrocks attempted to run tight loops with the Flyhalf, but the Charles River defense kept a nearly impenetrable line. The play remained evenly matched through the majority of the first half. Flankers Linda Morris and Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh, for their part, pressured Shamrock ball carriers without hesitation. By the end of the half, though, both teams began to tire. Pressed back inside their 22-meter mark, Charles River wavered. The well-placed kicks of veteran Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, though, relieved the pressure on multiple occasions in the last minutes. Both teams retired at the sound of referee Neil Foley’s whistle for the break, scoreless.

The second half was a different story for Charles River. The Lady Rats dominated nearly the entirety of play, knocking on Worcester's doorstep several times while maintaining the vast majority of ball possession through the second forty minutes. The Ratpack continued the outstanding play that would later pay off for the green and orange; they were perfect in scrum play on the afternoon. The Rat forwards retained all 21 of their scrums while stealing two from Worcester as well. They lost the ball only after being wheeled by the Shamrock pack. In loose play, too, the Ratpack impressed: in the second half River retained 26 of 34 rucks, while winning or poaching the ball 8 times from Worcester. 8-man Lane Standige was outstanding in lineouts, stealing every Worcester through in the second half. Defensively, River's back line continued its impenetrable ways. The Rat backs attempted several switches and crashes though Worcester's line with little success, but helped push play steadily back into the Worcester end. Where Worcester countered, Alex Schmidt relieved the pressure, lacing big gains for River from penalty kicks up the sidelines and loose play. Wings Cassie Cox and Katy Wilks swallowed up the outside, and the Shamrocks were unable to use the sideline for substantial gains.

Regulation ticked away, and the teams battled into injury time. Charles River would not be denied by the DIII newbies, though. In the eighty-fourth minute, well into injury time, Prop Chrissy “C” Andronico picked the ball from a well-formed loose ruck from Kara McAuliffe and Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet. Scrumhalf Captain Jenn “JVK” VanKuren popped the ball out to Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, who pivoted out to Inside Center Amanda Martin. Martin punched the ball through traffic before dishing to Outside Center Sarah Wetherbee. Wetherbee carried through several Worcester players until being tackled, rising and re-scooping the ball, and passing out to Wing Cassie Cox. Martin, recovering, looped in support of Cox, who popped the ball under pressure. Martin punched over the try line, already on borrowed time, and River celebrated wildly. Alex Schmidt, continuing her impressive afternoon, threaded the uprights for the conversion. Worcester kicked back to River, who steadied play for the remaining time. It was Schmidt, again, who would alertly kick the ball into touch as the extra time expired, sealing the victory for Charles River.

The inspirational last-second victory boosted Charles River to a 3-0 division record, against a difficult opponent in Worcester. River players of the game were Alex Schmidt from the backs and Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh from the forwards. Worcester selected Wing Katy Wilks as their visitor's choice. River would like to congratulate these ladies, as well as thanking Worcester for hosting them at Crompton park, and for another creative “Canadian Tuxedo”-themed social. The Rats look forward to coming matches against North Shore, Burlington, and Amoskeag.

River Welcomes New Coach, Jumps to 2-0 Start

The Charles River Women’s Rugby Football Club has hired Jessica Balogh as the head coach for the fall 2011 season. Balogh joins River after returning from the west coast, having spent her club years with the Seattle Breakers after attending Bowdoin College in Maine. Balogh brings twelve years of playing experience and several years of coaching experience to the Lady Rats. She has seen early success with the green and orange, leading River to an undefeated start to the season.

Charles River grabbed their first on-field win and second overall victory after defeating the Springfield Rifles 25-12 last Saturday, September 17th. Their first scheduled match resulted in a forfeit in River’s favor, after the Middlesex Barbarians failed to round out a full roster for the game. River gained a technical 7-0 victory, but lost the opportunity to win a try bonus from their first opponents.

The Lady Rats exploded over the Rifles early in their second match, well-prepared for a Springfield squad that has given them trouble in the past. Pace was set early by a speedy Rat squad looking to capitalize on an uneven Springfield back line. With newly-minted scrumhalf Susan Lackey directing play, the Ratpack pushed unrelentingly at Springfield in the early minutes. Rat veterans Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet and Chrissy “C” Andronico rucked with force throughout the game, but were particularly sharp in the first half as they helped River maintain the bulk of possession time. River maintained 26 of 30 rucks in the first half, while stealing the ball 6 times from Springfield. By the 17-minute mark, the Rats had punched two tries, one from commanding Flyhalf Alex Schmidt on a burst inside 10 meters, and the second from power-running Inside Center Amanda Martin.

Merciless Flankers Kara McAuliffe and Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh pounded the Springfield forwards through the middle. The Rifles tried to cycle the ball out, but the Charles River back line stymied nearly every attempt to punch through. The speedy wings of Springfield were unable to capitalize on several opportunities, as River’s defense continued to look sharp deep into the first half. Rat wings Julia Messing and Molly Desmond shut down the Rifles on the outside.

Susan Lackey continued to impress, playing an aggressive style at Scrumhalf that her Rifle counterpart was unable to match. She orchestrated a clean transition for Flyhalf Alex Schmidt, who called plays alertly through the game. River had punched in two more tries by minute 35, with Fullback Katy Wilks turning the corner on one, and Outside Center Sarah “Bee” Wetherbee cutting through the line on a sharp rub for the other.

The Ratpack was outstanding in scrum play all game, powered by Second Rows Anne “Wales” Beaumont and Sabrina Neuman. The sure foot of Captain Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio at Hooker retained every River put-in on the afternoon, stealing one from Springfield in the process. 8-man Lane Standige was tremendous in lineouts, stealing 7 Springfield lineouts in the first half and two in the second when lifted.

River took a commanding 25-0 lead early in the second half on a try by Flanker Kara McAuliffe. Production and play slowed, though, for River late in the game. The Rats appeared to have relaxed on the 5-try lead, and Springfield gathered some momentum late in the game. On the strength of a slew of Charles River penalties, the Rifles charged down the field, gathering an 8-man pushover try at the middle of the field at 71:00 minutes. A tiring River squad let up just before the end of the match, allowing Springfield a final try at 79:00. Despite the late lethargy, there were bright spots for the Rats, including a sharp late-game performance by Cassie Cox, returning from a lengthy knee injury. Cox subbed in at Outside Center and looked to have not missed a beat in her time off. Other highlights include an inaugural performance from rookie Julie Trautwein, joining the squad from Holy Cross RFC. River had built itself enough of a lead to win the game comfortably, 25-12, despite a late letdown.

The Lady Rats gratefully accepted the first active win, celebrating a 2-0 start to the young season. The green and orange would like to thank Springfield for traveling to meet them, as always. They would also like to thank the fans that came to support the squad in their first match, and Stadium Bar & Grill of Old Colony Ave in South Boston for hosting a wonderful social. http://stadiumbars.com/boston/ The Rats would also like to congratulate their stars of the game, Susan Lackey at scrumhalf, Kara McAuliffe at Flanker, and Springfield’s pick, Chrissy “C” Andronico at prop.

Rats Capture Division Title at NERFU Tournament

After being awarded only a paper plate, decorated by New England Rugby Football Union Coordinator, Neil Foley, to show for their placement at the 2010 NERFU Tournament, the Charles River Lady Rats departed for Newport in 2011 hungry for hardware. They arrived back to Boston having not disappointed. The Green and Orange took the Division III title, in a shutout sweep of their opponents. The Rats amassed 73 points during the tournament, while holding the opposition scoreless. En route to their title, Charles River handily defeated the Northshore and Springfield Women’s Rugby Clubs, by scores of 41-0 and 32-0, respectively.

On the point of Fort Adams State Park in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, the River ladies threw down the rugby gauntlet in the Division III bracket. They took the pitch first against Northshore, pressing the opponents back early when Lock Anne “Wales” Beaumont forged her way into the try zone for the Rats, only to be held up on the attempt. River rallied on the resultant 5-meter scrum, though, when Center Amanda Martin punched in a try after a nifty switch play orchestrated by Flyhalf Jenn “JVK” VanKuren. Veteran kicker Alex Schmidt threaded the uprights for the conversion, putting River up by the only scores they would need. The Rats pelted Northshore with pressure. Highlights include back-to-back crushing hits dealt by Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh and Kara McAuliffe, both of which knocked the ball loose from Northshore’s hands, and Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie’s unrelenting attack on her counterpart, which led to several turnovers. Chrissy “C” Andronico, too, brought her trademark bite to the match for River.

Aggressive advances from the talented Rat Pack framed River’s second try. Quick runs from Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet, Lane Standige, Beaumont, and McAuliffe framed an impressive display of communication and hands through River’s back line. Emily Cody took the scoring honors for River, but not before passing through the entire back line of Gillespie, VanKuren, Martin, Julia Messing, and out to the wing for the score. The speedy Julia Messing capped the half with two more tries—one assisted by a long run from Standige, and one on a long break down the sideline. The veteran front row trio of Junguenet, Hooker/Captain Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio, and Alicia Evangelista, left little room for Northshore advantage through scrum play, and River rounded out the first half with a comfortable 26-0 lead after Schmidt went 3 for 4 on conversions.

Wing Katy Wilks added two tries in the second half—one on the strength of a pass-run combination from VanKuren to Messing to Wilks, and the other after a supreme personal effort from Susan Lackey, who ran unchecked through several defenders. Elise Overgaard held the pressure at Lock, after subbing in. Molly Desmond ran consistently throughout the match, seizing opportunities where available, and utilizing excellent ball management skills through breakdowns. River added their final try after a nifty steal by Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh, who ran with the ball before dishing to Amanda Martin through the middle. At the referee’s discretion, the match was ended five minutes early as a No-Contest, and Charles River took a 41-0 victory.

After a brief layover, the Rats re-laced their boots to take the pitch against the Springfield Rifles. Galvanized by the tilt against Northshore, Charles River came out firing like their opponents’ namesake. Powerhouse Center Amanda Martin charged at Springfield early, on a run through the middle. After a series of forward possessions, including a nicely-wrangled lineout, strung together by a fiery Rat Pack, Amanda Martin again took the ball in for Charles River after a switch from VanKuren. VanKuren’s skill in deception would be on display again minutes later, as she scored on a run through the middle after a well-thrown dummy that crossed up the Springfield defense. The River possession, though, had been made possible by an aggressive poach from Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh, who was amidst her second very strong showing on the afternoon. Standige took the kicking honors in River’s second game, and laced her first NERFU tournament conversion on VanKuren’s try. Forward-to-back transition was again smooth for the Lady Rats, as long-time Scrummie Erin Gillespie moved the ball effortlessly. Alex Schmidt made a noteworthy run on a newly-constructed River play, while forward Whitney McCoy played solidly through pack play for the Lady Rats. Emily Cody broke free for the Rats at the end of the half, but was halted on a high tackle just before reaching the try line. McDonagh was there for the score off the resultant scrum at 5 meters.

In the second half, River captains Jenn VanKuren and Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio displayed great confidence in the depth of the Green and Orange, as they elected to fill all of their allowable substitutions at the start of the second half. They were not disappointed. Kate Etcheverry held the Hooker position, and Sabrina Neuman and Elise Overgaard helped the Rat Pack keep Springfield scoreless through the second half.

River’s second-half scoring drive was catalyzed by a sharp downfield kick from Lane Standige. Wing Katy Wilks and standout rookie Alex Hubelbank chased, picking up the ball for runs before Standige caught up to take it in for the score. Veterans Alicia Evangelista and Whitney McCoy led the Pack with poise, both running, rucking, and supporting teammates with clinical precision. Susan Lackey played a tremendous half, inspiring her teammates with conflagrant rucks and tackles.

Five more points were added to River’s tally on an Emily Cody breakaway run to the outside. Vet River Lock Anne “Wales” Beaumont garnered cheers from her team as she, too, charged down the field on a long breakaway run. With Springfield in pursuit, Beaumont dished to Katy Wilks, who was caught just yards short of the try line. Animated by the efforts from Beaumont and Wilks, and the tackles of Hubelbank and Lackey, though, River would maintain momentum through the end of the match. Lackey would make the final River try of the tournament on a spectacular personal effort in which she broke three tackles and stretched for the try line after a 5-meter scrum when Hubelbank’s attempt was held up.

The victories, amounting to 73-0 for Charles River against their opponents, earned the Lady Rats the New England Rugby Football Union Division III championship title. The Ladies in Orange and Green celebrated, and were awarded a cup for their efforts.

This tournament marked the end of the spring season for River, who will be playing in several tournaments but no scheduled divisional play through the summer months. River would like to thank and congratulate their long-time starting Prop and former captain, Alicia Evangelista, who played her final game as a Rat at the NERFU tournament. Evangelista will soon be leaving the Boston area to pursue career opportunities. Good luck Alicia! The Lady Rats would also like to thank all the fans that supported them through the spring season, as well as Stadium Bar & Grill of South Boston, MA, for sponsoring the Rats through the spring.

Stay tuned for information on tournament appearances through the summer, and enjoy the sunshine!

UP RIVER.

Rats Take Final Home Match, 43-7

A collectively smooth effort led the Charles River Rats cleanly over Middlesex last weekend at their home Moakley Park, 43-7. River utilized its speed and technical prowess to consistently break through Middlesex and maintain ball possession through most of the match.

The Orange and Green gained a quick score minutes into the match from Molly Desmond, who pushed a try in after a series of quick penalties to River. Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh and Emily Cody kept the early pressure on; McDonagh set the tone with an aggressive set of tackles and sharp runs from the Flanker spot, and Cody stole a Middlesex lineout to squelch an early opportunity for the visitors. She would steal several more as the morning progressed. Lane Standige, also at Flanker, played a very strong game for River. Standige punched in the Orange’s second try on a strong run from the 22-meter mark, evading several tackles in the process. She would add another in the second half on a 5-meter scrum following a strong personal effort by Jenni Houde, who powered through traffic deep in the Middlesex zone to set up the opportunity. Houde, too, would be rewarded for her efforts, as she touched down a score of her own soon afterwards.

The ever-prodigious Rat Pack catalyzed several breaks for River, with its consistent ball management and aggressive field presence. Captain Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio was sharp, making opportune pick-and-go plays that kept an expedient pace in River’s game. Alicia Evangelista drew attention with her low running and unwavering ruck support for teammates going into contact. The Middlesex Barbarians looked consistently to poach the ball during breakdowns, but the Rats fended off most attempts with strong ball placement. They countered with several steals made by Anne “Wales” Beaumont, and one from Houde as well, negating several Middlesex attempts to string together multiple phases. After Cody added an additional try near the end of the half, River found themselves enjoying a comfortable lead. Sure-footed veteran kicker Alex Schmidt laced her second conversion; Schmidt would convert four tries during the match.

River continued its sustained pressure into the second half—Standige added her second try early, while veteran Kara McAuliffe tied Middlesex ball carriers into mauls twice, resulting in play stoppage and a change in possession. The back line ran sharp cuts, crashes, and switches in tight. Center Amanda Martin added two tries to the tally, connecting with Captain Jenn “JVK” Van Kuren and Lizzie Chapman through the back. River’s depth was again on display, as rookie Elise Overgaard (Flanker) and Sabrina Neuman (Lock) entered the game and performed admirably. The Barbarians broke the shutout late, on a long run after a break through the River defense. The Rats countered, though—Alicia Evangelista made aggressive tackles late, and Wing Katy Wilks threatened another River try after a long run on a poached ball. The score would stay 43-7, though, and Chuck River would collect its second win for a season tally of 2-2—finishing 2-0 within their division during the regular season. Captains recognized forward Alicia Evangelista, who was playing in her final home game with the Lady Rats, after a long and inflential stay with the club. Lizzie Champman was also recognized for her strong play.

A fresh American International College team took the field against what proved to be a worn, motley B-side for Charles River. The AIC ladies came with aggression, bringing unwavering enthusiasm to the match. The visitors smartly leveraged their clear size advantage, drawing multiple Rats into tackle situations before pouncing on openings that resulted from the lopsided coverage. The Lady Rats enjoyed several sparks through the second side, but were unable to capitalize on gains and leverage a significant amount of momentum from AIC. The visitors finished having taken a 29-0 victory from the home team during the match. Captains Natalicchio and VanKuren recognized Deirdre Murphy for her strong play during the match.

Afterwards, the teams socialled at Stadium bar & Grill on Old Colony Road in South Boston, to enjoy some food and beverages after a full day of rugby. The Lady Rats would like to thank Middlesex and AIC for joining them on the pitch this weekend, for the fans that came to support them, and to Stadium for hosting the post-game festivities. Two Charles River teams will be in action tomorrow in Worcester, at a Mother’s Day 10s tournament hosted by the Shamrocks. The Rats look forward to enjoying varied competition tomorrow before playing in the annual NERFU Tournament next weekend in Newport.

Beantown edges the Rats in Boston Mud Bowl 2011

Universal Studios could not have provided a more dramatic backdrop for a battle of Boston rugby this past weekend at Moakley Park. The rain eased only sporadically throughout the day, and the churning of pumping legs and spike-shod feet had demolished the pitch well before Charles River stepped onto it for a match against the second side of Beantown. The Orange and Green were hosted by the Blue-and-Red-striped home team, but by the game’s end, both sides donned what would be Boston rugby’s uniform color of the day: mud brown. The Lady Rats rallied themselves for a dazzling effort against a mixed Beantown squad, but in the end, the hosts triumphed, taking the match 17-12.

River was powered by strong personal and team efforts. Aggressive, cohesive defense gave the Rats a charge that produced several opportunities to advance. The veteran front row combination of Prop Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet, Hooker and Captain Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio, and Prop Alicia Evangelista orchestrated careful ball possession management for River. The trio supported each other very well, keeping close support options during each advance from the Rat Pack. The Green and Orange Flankers both had tremendous games. Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh jumped quickly off the scrums, pressuring Beantown from set play. She made several strong runs on the afternoon, while also tackling with power. Lane Standige, also Flanking the Rat Pack, played a magnificent match for the Green and Orange. Standige tackled and rucked well, ran the ball with finesse, and involved herself aggressively in key defensive plays through both halves. Charles River sparkled in defensive lineouts, with Standige stealing several Beantown throw-ins while jumping. 8-man Jenni Houde, also jumping for River, also captured a Beantown lineout; defensive captures would prove one of River’s major assets during the match. Lock Chrissy “C” Andronico also shined for Charles River. Andronico halted several Beantown advances through the middle, while also providing power and control to the Rat Pack through set plays.

River’s first try would come from Standige, after a scrum to River around the 5-meter mark. The Rat Pack drove the ball down the field on a series of possessions through the Beantown end. Standige would scoop the ball for the last possession, powering over the try zone and touching the ball down through traffic. Alex Schmidt provided the conversion despite the adverse contions, putting River up 7-0. The Rats were able to maintain pressure during much of the first half, with Andronico, Standige, McDonagh, and Junguenet leading the charge. Anne “Wales” Beaumont stretched over the line for the second score after carries from Evangelista and Andronico in the middle.

Among the backs, Schmidt buttressed the line from Fullback with awareness and poise. She saw the field extremely well, running out of tight spots several times for River. With the ball oscillating across the middle of the field, Wings Katy Wilks and Julia Messing made themselves available as an option for the Rat Pack. Both made several carries on the outside, halted by Beantown defense.

In the second half, a resurgent Beantown side took the field against River. Momentum shifted quickly in favor of the home team. Beantown’s power game kicked into high gear after some key substitutions that showcased their club depth. River saw its lead diminish to two points, after Beantown scored twice by the middle of the second half, missing conversions on each in the challenging conditions. River continued to battle, but faced additional adversity after Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie was injured and had to leave the game. Elise Overgaard and Kara McAuliffe added fresh legs in the second row, but the renewal effort was not enough for River, who watched Beantown score one additional try with minutes remaining in the game. After lacing the conversion, a mixed Beantown side took the lead, 17-12. That score would stand as the final. After the game, the captains gave Player of the Game nods to Andronico (forwards) and Schmidt (backs), with recognition also coming to Standige from Beantown.

In B-side play, Beantown tipped the scales in their favor early on, and would ride the momentum for the duration of the game. Newcomers Jess Yu (Scrumhalf) and Alex Hubelbank (Flanker) were strong presences on the field for Charles River. Yu would be recognized by the Charles River Captains as the Back of the Game for the Rats. From the forwards, veteran Whitney McCoy led a pack of fresh River faces. McCoy’s poise and direction kept the Rats focused and united, despite the frustrating weather conditions and barrage of pressure from a mixed Beantown side. Rookie Kristen Mackey and Veteran Kara McAuliffe powered the pack from the first and second rows, respectively. Transition proved difficult from forwards to backs, and much of the play remained among the pack on either side. River saw several talented players from Beantown punch through its defense. Despite a climbing score, River maintained a consistent level of effort in its second game of the afternoon. As the whistle closed, the mud-slathered clubs gathered to shake hands before celebrating a day of Boston Rugby. In addition to Yu, Captains would also recognize Whitney McCoy as a Bitch of the Pitch in River’s second game.

The ladies of Charles River would like to thank Beantown for hosting them for two games and a social last weekend. The Rats will be in action again tomorrow at their home Moakley field against Middlesex. Kickoff is scheduled for 11AM. A B-side match against American International College will follow at 12:30PM. Please join the Orange and Green at their final home games of the spring season!

119 River Drive

In reaction to a windy, cloudy and cold but otherwise dry morning at Moakley Park two weeks go, the Lady Rats of Charles River Rugby unleashed a self-constructed deluge against their opponents. The Green and Orange A- and B-sides combined for a total of 119 points, while boasting an impenetrable defensive levee that held both North Shore and Amoskeag tryless through two games. The matches totaled 60-0 and 59-0, respectively.

In A-side play, The Rat Pack showcased a plethora of power and talent. Lane Standige at Flanker, and Chrissy “C” Andronico, at 8-man, both had tremendous games for the forwards. The pair would combine for six of River’s twelve tries—Andronico touching down four, and Standige two. All told, the River forwards would take nine of the twelve, with additional scores coming from Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh, Anne ‘Wales” Beaumont, and Kara McAuliffe from the scrum, with Junguenet nearly adding another in the second half. The Rat Pack united for an impressive combination of stolen possessions, with River taking a total of seven scrums and seven lineouts from North Shore. The prolific victory manifested itself on the back of a cohesive effort from the ladies of Charles River. Vet props Alicia Evangelista and Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet led the rucking charge, maintaining possession for the Rats though supportive runs and superb on-field awareness. McDonagh played a noteworthy game, bringing a spark of aggression and quickness to the Rat’s Hooker position.

The speed of the Rat Pack, perhaps unmatched by any other scrum in NERFU, became apparently early against North Shore. Standige ran well throughout the match, including showcasing a burst of speed that allowed her to block a North Shore kick near the try line, then touch down the ricochet for her second score. Jenni Houde punched through the North Shore line on several occasions, while Andronico frequently required multiple tacklers to take her down.

River had its transition game on point against North Shore, on the strength of the veteran 9-10 combination of Erin Gillespie and Alex Schmidt. Gillespie balanced herself skillfully between forward and back play, facilitating seamless ball movement. Schmidt’s spatial awareness and sure hands resulted in both successful play calling and crisp execution for the River back line.

In the back line, the speedy Emily Cody punched in two tries from the wing. Hands were sharp through the back line of centers Amanda Martin and Lizzie Chapman, Captain Jenn “JVK” VanKuren at Fullback, and Katy Wilks on the wing. Martin and Amanda connected seamlessly, punching through the North Shore defensive line with ease. Martin displayed a strong rucking game, quickly circling in behind her linemates in support. Wing Katy Wilks stayed active from the outside, preventing any North Shore advances from turning the corner.

Late in the game, River again displayed its depth and versatility. Cody played a strong end of the game at Scrumhalf, including taking down her North Shore counterpart from a scrum late in the second half. Diana Ekman and Krystyna Koz subbed in at wing, and both immediately made their presence known on lengthy gains from either side. Long-time veteran Kara McAuliffe brought her high Rugby IQ and aggressive tackling style into the second row. Her efforts would earn her a try in the second half.

All told, River would amass 60 points, clearly overpowering a North Shore squad full of new faces. With the victory, River evened itself out to a 1-1 record. After the match, Captains Jenn “JVK” VanKuren and Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio recognized Lane Standige (Flanker) and Emily Cody (Wing/Scrumhalf) as Players of the Game for Charles River, both well deserved.

In B-side action, the Charles River second side took on an inexperienced Amoskeag squad. The Rats nearly matched the score collected by their A-side counterparts, toppling Amoskeag 59-0. Forwards and backs combined for a well-balanced team effort, controlled ball possession, and technical discipline (with River accumulating only two penalties during the match). Forwards were led by the tremendous efforts of Susan Lackey and Deirdre Murphy. Lackey hosted an on-field rucking clinic for Charles River, almost singlehandedly maintaining ball possession through many breakdowns in the first half. Murphy powered through Amoskeag all afternoon, punching in tow tries and making numerous tackles even despite suffering what turned out to be a broken hand in the first half. Newcomer Jordan Lavy had a strong game at scrumhalf for the Green and Orange. Lavy displayed a sure set of hands through set play and loose play, as well as unrelenting pressure on her counterpart from Amoskeag throughout the match. Jordan Ciciliano added a score from Flanker, Kara McAuliffe and Sabrina Neuman built a strong base in the Rat Pack from the second row. A-side Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie also turned some heads as she displayed a side of power to compliment her usual finesse, sliding into the prop position with very few growing pains. Gillespie would march in for a try in the second half.

The Chuck River backs displayed excellent communication, concentration and skill throughout the match. Flyhalf Miranda Wakimoto and Inside Center Sarah “Bee” Wetherbee had great chemistry in the line. The pair combined for six of River’s eleven tries, Wakimoto for four and Wetherbee for two. Despite the wind, the backs displayed strong ball movement down the line, from the sure hands of Wakimoto, through Wetherbee, Molly Desmond at Outside Center, Val Winger at Fullback, and the expeditious Ekman and Koz on the wings.

The combined effort left little room for Amoskeag to capitalize on available opportunities. At referee Julie Butner’s final whistle, Charles River’s second side had accumulated 59 points. Rat Captains VanKuren and Natalicchio recognized Center Molly Desmond and 8-man Deirdre Murphy as Players of the Game for the second side. Amoskeag recognized Wakimoto, who had drawn their attention with her stellar efforts. Through two matches, Charles River had collected a combined squad total of 119 points on the afternoon, a new club record. The Lady Rats would like to thank the fans that joined them at Moakley, North Shore and Amoskeag for traveling down for the matches, and Stadium Bar and Grill of South Boston for hosting the teams after the matches.

Spring Renewal for Charles River Rugby

The Charles River Lady Rats, sporting a revamped lineup and a new coach, were edged out by Division II opponent Seacoast this past weekend at their home Moakley Field. With the wind swirling off Carson Beach across the street, the opponents kicked off at 11AM. River came out quickly, wheeling an early scrum for possession and then charging into Seacoast territory. After the retreating visitors committed an infraction inside their own 22-meter, Anne “Wales” Beaumont took a quick-tap penalty into the try zone, stretching out for the first score. Lane Standige laced the conversion kick between the uprights, and River took an early 7-0 lead.

Play continued quickly through the first half, as River orchestrated a series of pick-and-go plays, but had trouble maintaining possession. Wing Julia Messing broke along the edge during a promising play, on the strength of some strong rucking by Jess “Jibz” Ingram-Bee and Beaumont. Newcomer Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh played a strong half at flanker, pressuring Seacoast quickly off of scrum play. Scrumhalf Erin Gillespie played aggressively throughout the match, getting involved in all facets of the game from the 9 position. Seacoast, nearing the end of the first half, jumped on some clunky River transitions, breaking through to push the Rats back into their own half. On a play that mirrored River’s first try, Seacoast answered on a series of plays that stemmed from a penalty awarded deep in the Charles River end. To add injury to injury, darting River Flanker Jess “Jibz” Ingram-Bee suffered a season-ending knee injury. Rookie Elise Overgaard entered the game to fill the spot. With the score tied at 7 apiece, the sides pushed back and forth, neither capitalizing further before adjourning at the half.

After the recess, Seacoast came firing. Some skilled work from the #9 and the centers led to some quick gains coming into Charles River territory. Finding themselves on the heels for a sustained period, the Lady Rats rallied to hold the Seacoast offensive. In the end, though, the visitors punched through for the score, taking the lead 12-5 and missing a conversion. Center Amanda Martin was strong on her feet through the second half, punching short gains and rucking for both forwards and the back line. Rookie Jenni Houde sharply pulled down a Charles River lineout that sparked quick transition for the Green and Orange. Perennially reliable Prop Alicia Evangelista ran in constant support of her Rat Pack compatriots making gains on pick-and-go plays.

With Seacoast pressuring once again in the second half, River made a strong stand deep in their zone. After winning a scrum, Fullback Lizzie Chapman cleared the ball and allowed River to collect themselves. In the ensuing minutes, the Rat Pack maintained a series of possessions to drive Seacoast back. After a successfully wheeled scrum and strong rucking by Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh, Lane Standige and Jehanne “Juggs” Junguenet, River appeared to be regaining some momentum. River made some late substitutions, hoping that fresh legs would further spark resurgence. However, a series of long breaks from Seacoast positioned the visitors in prime territory to pad their lead. They quickly extended over the try line, adding two points after for a score of 19-7. The feisty Rats, once again, regrouped to make a bid for the Seacoast line. Fullback Lizzie Chapman broke through Seacoast for a large gain toward the outside. She dished to wing Julia Messing, who gained meters for the Lady Rats before Newcomer Miranda Wakimoto, running in support, took the ball into the try zone for her first Charles River score. River had recaptured momentum, but with only a few minutes remaining on the clock. The Lady Rats were unable to muster a quick try, and fell to their higher-division opponents, 19-12.

The Charles River Captains, Jenn “JVK” VanKuren and Lisa “Natty” Natalicchio, recognized Danielle “Dollar” McDonagh as Forward player of the game, for her aggressive and dynamic play during her inaugural match in a Rats uniform. VanKuren and Natalicchio also recognized inside center Amanda Martin for her crafty ball carrying and versatility rucking and tackling. Seacoast acknowledged River scrumhalf Erin Gillespie, who aggressively involved herself in nearly every play throughout the match.

In B-side action, Charles River boasted a showcase of rookie and veteran talent. After kicking off against Boston neighbors Wentworth Institute of Technology, the Rat B-side unleashed a combination of speed, quick transition, and tackling power that their visitors could not match. Rookie Flyhalf Miranda Wakimoto, who would play an outstanding match for River, started the scoring early on a support run that saw her cutting through the defensive line after receiving the ball. Newcomer Jordan Ciciliano made the conversion kick, and the Rat Bs went up 7-0. A strong series of gains by the Rat Pack, led by Rookie Alex Hubelbank and veteran Kara McAuliffe, allowed the Rats to push inside the WIT 5-meter mark. WIT managed to hold up two try attempts before clearing the ball out.

The back line looked sharp for River throughout the match—Flyhalf Wakimoto connected with inside center Sarah “Bee” Wetherbee, who was returning from a year-long absence after a knee injury. The two worked well inside, and also transitioned smoothly to outside center and former Holy Cross superstar Molly Desmond, who punched several carries through the middle. Rookie Jordan Lavy played a tremendous game at scrumhalf, getting the ball out of scrums with speed and precision. It was Lavy’s quick lineout play that sparked a bounding Charles River up field, in a series that would lead to another try by Wakimoto. Wakimoto nearly had added third only minutes later, but it was ruled that the ball was not controlled in the try zone. Rat vet Andrea Polcaro would pick up the missing points, however, touching down a try to end the second half. Ciciliano again converted, and the River Bs hit halftime with a 19-0 lead.

Charles River continued the aggressive attack through the second half. The backs displayed speed and finesse, with Wakimoto, Wetherbee, and Desmond connecting through the line. Rugby newcomer Jill Scalf, playing in her first match, made several carries on the wing for the Green and Orange. From the pack, Alex Hubelbank exploded through WIT for a try early in the second. Newcomer Sarah “Apples” Appleton threaded the uprights for the conversion. Defensively, River stood its ground against a WIT offensive to the 22. Lavy picked the ball quickly to relieve pressure, and River regained momentum through a series of bursts that eventually resulted in a try by rookie Jen Garner out of the pack. Appleton again converted the kick. The Lady Rats kept the pressure on, punching through for one more try by Wakimoto at the match’s end.

The Charles River captains recognized Alex Hubelbank and Sarah ‘Bee” Wetherbee for their strong play during the B-side match. WIT chose scrumhalf Jordan Lavy as their selection for player of the game. River celebrated a strong inaugural game presented by the fresh faces of the future of the Orange and Green.

Charles River would like to thank Seacoast Women's Rugby and Wentworth for joining them in match play and socialling this past weekend. The Rats would also like to thank the fans who supported them during their season opener. Charles River will be back in action tomorrow against perennial rival North Shore, tomorrow morning at Moakley Park in South Boston. Kickoff is scheduled for 11AM. A B-side match against Amoskeag will follow at 12:30PM. Post-game social will be at Stadium Bar & Grill, 232 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston.

River Takeover

After a soggy, snowy weekend that resulted in Boston Parks & Rec suspending all field permits for last week, the Charles River ladies are pumped to kick off the season (fo realz this time) this Saturday at Moakley! The Lady Rats will be running a day o' rugby, hosting 2 games, a social, and an awesome season kickoff party at night. Please join us:

Saturday, April 9th

11AM kickoff

@ Moakley Park, South Boston

vs. Seacoast

B-side match vs. Wentworth Institute of Technology

to follow at 12:30PM

Post-game social at Stadium bar & Grille

And for your nightlife:

CHARLES RIVER RUGBY SEASON KICKOFF PARTY!!!

@ Stadium Bar & Grille,

232 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston, MA (right near Moakley)

7PM to close

$10 cover, with drink specials and free food!

Come for dinner and a pre-game before you go on your merry Saturday night way :)

Wear your GREEN and ORANGE!

Check out the shout to our event from Boston's DIFFUSE 5!

Aaaand Up River.

>'.'<

It's Rugby Season!

Greetings, Rats and Rat lovers! Despite the Cosmic April Fool's Joke that dropped out of the sky this morning (oh hello, car ice scraper, I thought I was done with you), it's spring and TIME FOR RUGBY!!! The Charles River Ladies will be kicking off the season:

Tomorrow

11AM

@ Moakley Park

against the Middlesex Barbarians!

B-side match against Providence College to follow.

post-game social at Stadium Bar & Grill in South Boston.

Dust off that megaphone and raid your closet for green and orange. It's going to be a good one.

>'.'<

UP RIVER!

Pre-Season Training...Just Around the River Bend

Fall has fallen and Winter has been raging, burying us inside on our couches to ride out the time until the snow takes a chill pill and the cold gets tired of itself. But on the horizon is a glimmer of hope for us all...

2011 SPRING PRE-SEASON CONDITIONING/TRAINING SESSIONS ARE STARTING!

Training sessions will start Feb. 7 and run MONDAYS through March at 8:00PM at the Boston Athletic Club(BAC).

Classes will be $10 per person. If we get more than 10 people to come, we'll get some money back so come join our pack.

What will sessions en(RAT)tail?

A personal trainer will lead us in group plyometric and strength exercises as well as some focused rounds of sprinting. Specific exercises include jump roping, medicine ball drills, sand bag sprints, resistance band work, etc. It's an intense workout, out of which you will get as much as you put in, so we will push each other to get fit and work our hardest.

If you're a Rat get off your cage wheel and into the training gym to shake away the off-season cobwebs! If you're new or thinking about joining, come out and check out CRWRFC in pre-season action!

For more information, check out http://www.charlesriverrugby.com/ or e-mail crwrfc@gmail.com

CRWRFC SEEKS NEW HEAD COACH

The Charles River Women's Rugby Football Club (CRWRFC) is seeking a new head coach. We are looking at candidates who have USA Rugby certification/ prior coaching experience. This is a competitively paid position, dependent on experience, and will be for the duration of both the spring and fall seasons.

About US:
CRWRFC (Boston, MA) is a senior club team in DIII. Charles River was 4-3 (4-1 in Divisional play) in this past season and had the chance to relegate to DII, but opted out on account of not having a coach for the coming season. We are looking for a coach that will help us build on the solid foundation that we have been given the past two years by Coach Carl Morris of the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. We seek to grow as a team, further our skills, and continue our success to continue to be a force on the Boston and greater women's rugby arena.

If you are interested, please send your resume to Jenn: vankurenj@gmail.com .

If you have any questions about the position or the team please feel free to ask, or check out our website at http://charlesriverrugby.com/crwrfc.aspx