The Lady Rats Nest

River Surprises DII Burly Girls

2011-10-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-14T14:53:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-01T18:22:00.004-04:00

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

2011-09-27T12:51:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-31T14:58:00.001-04:00

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

2011-05-06T13:46:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-29T15:54:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-21T12:42:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-15T14:35:00.006-04:00

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

2011-04-07T14:18:00.006-04:00

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!

2011-04-01T13:54:00.003-04:00

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

2011-01-25T16:13:00.004-05:00

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

2011-01-18T14:30:00.001-05:00

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

Shamshock Loss but a Win for Rat Future

2010-10-25T12:02:00.003-04:00

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

2010-10-21T13:26:00.001-04:00

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

2010-10-21T13:14:00.002-04:00

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

2010-10-21T13:12:00.001-04:00

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

2010-09-23T11:47:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-18T08:12:00.003-04:00

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

2010-05-12T23:53:00.001-04:00

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

2010-05-05T11:57:00.002-04:00

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

2010-04-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-23T01:10:00.001-04:00

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

2010-04-13T18:04:00.005-04:00

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.

River Jumps In

2010-04-06T23:43:00.003-04:00

Here's try-scorer and guest blogger Sarah "Bee" Wetherbee's take on this past weekend's CRWRFC rugby events!

A cosmic April fool’s joke had the clouds finally break over Boston after a calendrical turn to the Month of Showers this week. And with a scheduling twist that brought the Lady Rats away from their flooded home field beside Carson Beach, River met Seacoast on Saturday. The ladies of CRWRFC, on the strength of only a single full practice due to aforementioned weather woes, flowed with cohesion and communication befitting a team seasoned with many more training sessions. The Rats brought mid-season intensity, scrapping with a bigger Seacoast team for a try-for-try draw. The deciding tallies, though, came on a conversion kick that gave Seacoast seven points to Charles River’s five. That score would stand as the final.

Despite the point differential, River controlled much of the play throughout the game. An outsized but technically-impressive Ratpack, led by Captain Alicia Evangelista, drove very well, managing to maintain possession for long periods and to steal a couple of scrums from Seacoast. Chrissy “C” Andronico took home Bitch of the Pitch honors for the forwards for her impressive play, in which she set the tone for the series of hard hits, powerful runs and strong rucking that CRWRFC hopes to bring to the rest of its schedule.

Charles River’s try was representative of the team’s cohesive effort during the game. During a lengthy possession through several breakdowns, Charles River’s pack drove the ball down the field. In an excellent communicative effort, River transitioned the ball smoothly through the back line and out to winger Katy Wilks, who broke for a substantial gain. Wilks dished the ball off to Sarah “Bee” Wetherbee, who was running in support, as she was tackled with less than fifteen yards between her and the try zone. Wetherbee took the ball over the remaining turf, stretching over the line for the score as she was brought down.

Defensively, River held strong against the Seacoast attack for the majority of the match. The Rats battled back-and-forth near midfield for much of the second half. Fullback Maeghan Hoover dammed up the middle of the field, preventing any major Seacoast breakthroughs. Hoover later earned Bitch of the Pitch nod from Seacoast’s captains for her superlative efforts. Seacoast’s lone try came on a very lengthy breakaway run up the sideline by a speedy wing. The notable conversion kick that followed would put them on top for good.

It appears that the Lady Rats might have to make their own fortune in the Year of the Tiger—they had multiple near-tries late in the game, including two balls held up by Seacoast, one Chuck River lady sandwiched between the ball and the Seacoast upright at the try zone’s edge, and one instance where a Rat careened over the touch line by the corner flag before being able to touch the ball down. Unlucky. But those scrappy Rats will certainly be equal to the task moving ahead, and are look forward to earning their W’s in the coming weeks as they steamroll toward the NERFU tournament. Despite Saturday’s score, River’s ladies were all smiles after a resplendent team effort. Captains Evangelista and Jenn “JVK” VanKuren, as well as coaches Carl Morris and Hal Baker, spoke positively to their team about the season opener.

The Spring 2010 season brings enormous depth and potential to the Lady Rats’ squad, and a multitude of Charles River rookies, some new to rugby, sparkled alongside veteran rats with grayer whiskers of wisdom in B-side play. Though the match featured a resurgent set of Seacoast’s starters, the Lady Rats held them to a single try, and finished with a 5-0 score. River ladies with all levels of experience shared excellent tenacity and communication, creating a united front against a tough Seacoast team. Captains were particularly impressed by the play of newcomer Jess Ingram-Bee, who earned River B-side Bitch of the Pitch honors after having a hand in several key plays during the match. The captains and coaching staff again praised the team’s effort, which was, in all senses of the phrase, a team effort. Throughout the afternoon, the Lady Rats made a promising start to 2010.

River will host Portland this Saturday, April 10th, for a 2pm Home Opener kickoff at Moakley Field.

Saturday was a Rugby Day

2010-04-05T10:51:00.002-04:00

CRWRFC's A-side kicked off their Spring season this past Saturday with a hard fought match against the Seacoast Women's Rugby Club. On a surprisingly summery day for the first weekend of the April, the Lady Rats kicked off to Seacoast at the Amesbury Sports Park. Keeping the play in their opponent's 50m, Charles River hammered at the try line, nudging many near tries. After a string of well placed and protected forward phases, the ball moved smoothly along the back line, with Sarah Wetherbee placing the ball down for the first score of the day, making it 5-0 for CWRFC. After the 2nd half began, play evened out moving back and forth across the 50. Seacoast managed a break away up the sideline to even the score, and a successful conversion kick put the score at 5-7 for the home team. Charles River held them off and charged back down the field with a handful more attacks just meters from the try line. When the final whistle blew the score was CRWRFC 5, Seacoast 7. Though the score wasn't in their favor, the Lady Rats left the field with their heads held high, proud of a successful first Spring outing and looking forward to the season ahead and the road to NERFUs.

The CRWRFC B-side also proved to be a force to be reckoned with. A fresh 15 took the field against Seacoast and fought hard to keep the home team to only one try, making the final score just 5-0 for Seacoast. With many players new to the game and most new to CRWRFC, the B-side showed the future looks bright for Charles River women.

It's the Time of the Season for Rugbyyyy

2010-04-01T18:30:00.003-04:00

The storms of March left Boston water-logged and dreary. And while the Lady Rats were forced to seek shelter from the storm as the rain cancelled their first season practice this past Tuesday, Charles River held up in true Rat style, holding a team meeting followed by a dedicated and focused social practice at the Pub.

Tonight the women will take to the turf for their first outdoor practice of the Spring. The ladies' Spring practice schedule is as follows:

Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00-10:30pm, Madison Park field

With coach Carl Morris at the helm, CRWRFC hits the field tonight to prepare themselves for a challgenging Spring season ahead.

This Saturday, April 3, the Lady Rats trek up to Amesbury, NH to take on Seacoast Women's at the Amesbury Sports Park . Kick-off is announced for 4:00pm. Come support CRWRFC in their Spring opener on the road to NERFUs!!

A Social Success!

2010-03-11T13:23:00.002-05:00

Last Friday, the ladies of Charles River met up with the girls from Beantown and Boston Women's to co-host a kick off fiesta for the coming Spring 2010 season!

It was a great time for all. The Lady Rats came clad snout to claw in green and orange, celebrating their Rat spirit so all would know who "those great Charles River girls" were. The crowd mingled talking rugby, Spring, season, and of course flip cup and boat races. In an inter-squad forwards v. backs boat race, the pack players proved their mettle, beating the backs in a close chugging battle.

One Charles River girl proclaimed, "Guess what rhymes with Charles River! Strong liver!"

"I lvodkjlkove rugbhyj!" another Boston are woman rugby stated later in the evening.

The evening was an awesome way for the three teams to interact and connect off the field, and get to know each other's players a little better. Cheers to the Rats, and good luck to Beantown and Boston Women's in their up coming seasons.

And as always....UP RIVER!!!!!

TRI-BOSTON SPRING KICK OFF PARTY!!

2010-02-25T13:59:00.003-05:00

Next Friday, March 5, CRWRFC, along with Beantown and Boston Women's rugby, will be hosting a kick off party to start off the spring season in style!

Come join us at Pub in Somerville starting at 9PM to celebrate the coming women's rugby season

Get to know members of the three dynamite women's teams who call Boston home!

There will be music, DJ and box, cocktails, pitcher and glass, games, boat race and straw, and of course dancing!!

So come out and celebrate with the women of Boston's rugby scene, Charles River, Beantown, and Boston Women's!

Friday, March 5, 9:00PM ~ Hope to see you there!

GET PUMPED UP, STAY PUMPED UP

2010-01-28T17:29:00.000-05:00

We've braved the waning of Fall into the bristling cold of Winter, but the future is starting to warm up (then get really cold then warm again)! It's time for the Lady Rats to bust out of hibernation and start getting ready for our upcomining Spring 2010 season. Which means...

WINTER PRE-SEASON CONDITIONING/TRAINING SESSIONS ARE STARTING!

Training sessions will start Feb. 1 and run MONDAYS through March from 6:45 - 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 already be there or be caged! 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 jehanne.junguenet@gmail.com

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME STEEEAAAKKK??

2010-01-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

GRIDIRON MEETS GRILL IRON

Who needs to win money when you can win big heaping portions of steak?!

Take part in Charles River's first SUPERBOWL SQUARES MEAT RAFFLE!
Winner gets two (2) 44oz Porterhouse steaks!!

You may have tried your luck in the March Madness Meat Extravaganza. Well, now you have another chance to place your bets at a chance to win some fine red meat, but this time all you have to wrap your head around is which squares to choose!

How does it work? These simple rules will lay it out for you:
- $5.00 per square - PAY IN PERSON OR ON PAYPAL

- After paying, email or call Frank Kennedy with your square request. If no specific square request is received, Frank will randomly assign one once everyone else has asked for their squares.
- The prize is for the final score of the game INCLUDING overtime.
- The numbers for the rows and columns will be randomly picked and assigned to the corresponding columns and rows once all of the squares are filled.

Visit http://www.charlesriverrugby.com/ and find the Superbowl Squares ad. Click on the link, pay, and you could be on your way to a heavenly feast!

CRWRFC's 95 (+ or - ) THESES

2010-01-27T10:20:00.000-05:00

6. Green and Orange DO look good together

5. Everyone looks better with whiskers

4. Charles River never loses a social

3. Halloween once a year in never enough

2. Beers after practice helps with rugby stamina

1. UP RIVER!

Charles River Awards Banquet Announced

2010-01-26T17:38:00.000-05:00

The date may have changed but the party will still be the same!

We will celebrate they year of 2009 Charles River Rugby and honor those special Rats who have been nominated by their rodent brethren for a few awards. Join us for the event!

FEBRUARY 6, 2010

Cask N Flagon

6:00 PM ~ $25/ticket
(purchase tickets online at www.charlesriverrugby.com)

Welcome to the Lady Rats Nest

2010-01-26T17:32:00.000-05:00

So we’ve finally started blogging. A first saunter on our rat feet into this brave new world. Hopefully we’ll keep it up to date so you’ll never find yourself wondering “What ARE those Charles River women up to these days?” But first, let us just say…

Got Rats?