This fall, the Holy Cross women’s rugby team flew through its conference schedule to become the Division IV New England Rugby Football Union Champions. With this win, the team traveled to Philadelphia to play in the Division IV Women’s Rugby National Tournament and were victorious there, as well. Now, after moving up to Division III because of their accomplishments in the fall season, the women have proven that even a higher level of competition cannot stop them on the field.
On the weekend of April 18, the team, led by co-captains Kelly Lyons ’10 and Marina Vornle von Haagenfels ’10, captured another championship title in Rhode Island at the Beast of the East Tournament. This tournament is a weekend-long event for both men and women to play rugby at an intense and fast pace. Each game is 40 minutes long and the Holy Cross women played four games by the end of the weekend.The first day proved to be moderately easy for the women. They defeated Keene State with a score of 31-0 and then moved on to beat Babson. With this win, they were guaranteed a spot in the Division III Finals. Day two, however, was a bit more of a challenge. The first game against Castleton was extremely close, but the scrum players utilized their unity to pull out with the win. This led the Crusaders to their most difficult opponent: Wentworth.
A few years ago, Wentworth defeated Holy Cross in the regular season division finals, stopping them from reaching many of the titles they were able to win this year. The competitive spirit between these two teams showed in the close score throughout the match. Finally, with only a minute left to play, Rachael Martinez ’10, scored a tri and secured the victory for the Crusaders. Fans, alumnae, and supporting teams were able to watch Holy Cross earn their third title of the school year, Division III Beast of the East Champions.
Lyons ‘10 expressed the team’s excitement and the magnitude of this achievement.
“From being tackled to getting hurt, having four games of rugby in two days is physically demanding. I am so proud of the team for coming together and really supporting each other this weekend,” she said. “We are now Division III and are very excited to move on to our next season in the fall.”
By Mary Moczula ’11
