Erin Richards ’15
Sports Editor
The Smith Pioneer’s Rugby team headed to nationals for the first time since 2000 on Saturday Nov. 23. The qualifying team in 2000 was a self-coached Division 1 team. Although a completely different dynamic than the professionally coached Division 3 team today, both teams relied on strong teamwork to put the Pioneers in the National Championship. The Fall 2013 team’s motto, “We endure until the end,” describes their persistence and hard work throughout the season. Entering the tournament, Smith depended on their deep roster to pull through in light of injuries the team would face over the weekend. They knew if a teammate suffered an unfortunate injury, there would be someone to take her place and still do well.
The first game against Roger Williams on Saturday ended in Smith’s victory with a score of 20-10. Three minutes into the game, Smith’s center Seneca Lee ’16 broke three tackles to score. Roger Williams evened the score, ending the first half 5-5. The second half Smith pushed through scoring three more times, while staying strong defensively. The win placed them in the final match against Wayne State on Sunday.
Though the Pioneers fell to the defending champions Wayne State on Sunday, they played with their heart. The teams played under frigid conditions, 22 degrees with a 14-degree wind-chill. Sam Scovill ’15 reflects, “We were pretty positive, but also pretty nervous. We could see how big Wayne State was and really knew it could go either way.” Though seen to many as the underdog, the Pioneers put up an evenly matched fight. Smith was able to secure five points in the first half, but Wayne State pushed through Smith’s defense to score twice in the first half, and twice in the second half. The final score was 18 to 5.
Looking toward the spring season, training strategies will more than likely reflect those of the past season. Said Scovill, “Predicting what is going to happen season to season is really difficult. I would have never imagined going to nationals after last season, but we made it.” With a focus on staying fast, fit, and defensively strong the Pioneers are sure to continue to be a competitive team within their division.
