This past weekend, the women’s club rugby team improved on their impressive start to the season. Their winning streak is now up to three games after a 26-5 win over Syracuse on Saturday.

Over the first three games of the season, the defense has been very stringy. Having pitched a shutout each of the last two weeks, these five points were the first points allowed all season.

“Teamwork is always the main thing that contributes to wins, but having a strong defensive line is super important to our success,” senior captain Kirsten Dole said.

The coaching staff emphasizes two main things: teamwork and communication. So far, that has made them very successful, outscoring opponents 162-5 through three games.

“They emphasize how important teamwork is. We can’t do it without our teammates on the field. Your forwards need your backs and your backs needs your forwards. We have to fire up with each other and support each other,” Emily Sneck said. “They always emphasize communication. During rugby games there is so much going on, sometimes more than you can take in.”

The team will take on Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) at home as they look to increase their winning streak to four games on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m.

The men’s club rugby team dropped their second game of the season on the road against Geneseo 49-5. They’re now 1-1 on the young season.

“We have to improve on defense. There were plenty of outside defense letdowns. We had opportunities to retain the ball and we didn’t,” head coach Rob Jenkinson said.

In a match where 49 points were allowed, the lack of defense was a concern.

“We need to work on our defensive assignments for sure. Getting back to the basics will be key; good passes and solid tackling is where we will look to improve,” co-captain Taylor Eberl said.

The team chemistry that the men’s rugby club showed in the week one victory seemed to fade a bit in this match.

“We didn’t have the full team chemistry like we did against Niagara,” senior Justin Brzyski said. “Being that this was our first away game, with poor weather that may have hurt everyone’s focus preparing for the match.”

Chemistry was an impacting factor for all facets of the game, not just defense.

“We need to try new people at new positions and work harder on team chemistry,” senior August Edwards said. “All that comes with time; we have a lot of new players at key positions. One of

the reasons I am stepping back is to enable them to grow. I won’t be here next year, so I want everyone to develop.”

A home match against LeMoyne on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. is next for the men’s club rugby team.

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