Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

I can't believe it is almost MAY!!! This year is literally blazing faster than a burning fire...jeez.

Just got back from West All-Star Tryouts in Ft. Worth this weekend. Four teams attended the tryouts and they were in tournament form. Texas Rugby Union (TRU), Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union (ERRFU), Heart of America (HOA), and Missouri (MRU?) attended and we played a round robin on Saturday.

Those that were selected were invited to a one-day camp on Sunday from 9am-1pm. There were FIVE people picked from TRU including myself! As soon as they release the list I will post it.

We are playing the Midwest All-Stars in Kansas City on May 20 and will attend the National All-Star Championships in Blaine, MN in June. Congratulations Ladies!!

• USA Rugby Teams Up With State Of The Art Sports Performance Center via Goff
  Impact Sports Performance is Colorado’s premier sports training facility. With experienced staff, a state-of-the-art facility, and evidence and research-based rehabilitation, Impact Sports Performance will help USA Rugby athletes reach the next level of competition. Its customized, sport-specific programs offer the cutting edge in athletic performance enhancement with an emphasis on injury prevention.
  
  The partnership between USA Rugby and Impact Sports Performance includes complimentary memberships for all USA Rugby National Team Players and a 20 percent discount on all regularly priced performance training programs for USA Rugby members.
  
  “Impact Sports is a tremendous high performance training center, truly state of the art,” USA Rugby’s V.P. of Business Development David Voth said. “The availability of the industries top people to support the efforts of our National Team Players and Coaches is a training advantage we needed to pursue. We are extremely excited that this partnership has reached fruition.”
  
  At Impact Sports, the comprehensive training methods are designed to provide optimal speed, movement, explosion, balance, power, functional strength, core stability and recovery. Along with its proven techniques, the professionals at Impact are also committed to evaluating and developing new training and treatment methods ensuring that you are getting the best program. Combine this with its outstanding rehabilitation outcomes and Impact Sports Performance is in a class of its own.
  
  “USA Rugby is a first class organization and we are extremely proud to partner with them especially during a World Cup year. We are excited to begin this great relationship and we plan to provide their athletes and entire organization with the best in high performance training that incorporates fitness, performance and rehabilitation,” Jamie Heiner, Director of Sports Performance at Impact Sports said.
  
  
  
  
• West League Matches Update
  
  The latest results of the West League Matches are in:
  
  Olde Girls 5 pts
  St. Louis Sabres 5 pts
  Black Ice 4 pts
  Austin Valkyries 4 pts
  Kansas City Jazz 4 pts (?)
  Boulder Babes 0 pts
  
  The next matches in the spring season are:
  5 May Black Ice vs. Glendale
  5 May Kansas City Jazz vs. Austin Valkyries
  12 May Black Ice vs. St. Louis Sabres

So I have more, but its finals weeks and I have four papers due and one final to take. ARGH!!!

The outpouring of support, love and discussion from this topic has been phenomenal. I think we have seen a few sides of this argument that should have been brought to light. In reality it wasn't a personal attack on Belmont, more of an open forum to bring some thoughts out into the open.

I posted every single comment that came along in my email positive or negative because the best part about blogs and writing is that it is our words. Sometimes the words come out the wrong way, but please stand by your words.

So some rugby news that I have been ignoring....oops:

• Goff Controversy - Against the Head
  This blogger brings up a valid point that I blogged about earlier. Goff is now ranking D1, D2 AND D3 Men's teams. Where is the love for the women? Check out her blog.
  
  However it does appear that they are covering the U19 Women's rugby in their off-line publication via the U19 Girls Rugby Blog. Don't be fooled though, the cover story features the MEN'S U19 team...check it out here.
  
  
• This weekend is West All Star Tryouts for 15s Senior Side, the tryouts will be held in Ft. Worth on Saturday & Sunday (Sunday is for those that have made the cut...)
  
  Schedule:
  9:30am ERFFU vs. TRU
  10:50am Missouri vs. Heart of America
  3:15pm ERRFU vs. Heart of America
  4:50pm TRU vs. Missouri
  
  *Games are 30 minute halves, ties are acceptable and there will be open substitutions.
  
  
• This weekend is also the West U23 All Star Tryouts in Austin, TX. If you are under 23 as of January 1, 2007 you are eligible to tryout. Please email Traci Schmidtke if you are interested.
  
  
• Via the U19 Girls Rugby Blog...some awesome video footage of their recent matches. For some reason the sound is a bit garbled, so beware that your speakers are turned down a bit.
  
  
• Satiated Beavers - Beaver Tour 2007
  The Beaver Tour is getting closer and closer...check out the most recent picture of our spiffy custom uniforms! Check out our website for a look at our itinerary and where we will be!
  
  Our Customer jerseys will have a beaver on the chest, short pocket and as you can see the socks have already been embroidered. Pretty HOTTT!!
  
  
• Level 1 Refereeing Class in Dallas
  June 3, 2007 following the Dallas 7's tournament there will be a level 1 ref clinic. Sweet!
  
  Email Chris Callan if you are interested.
  
  
• Wild West Rugby Fest
  December 1 & 2, 2007
  
  FORMAT: instead of our traditional one day social format we will now have a two day event where the ladies and competitive men will play two days and the men's social teams will still play Saturday only (3 matches guaranteed for everyone with the competitive clubs playing at least 4 matches and maybe even as many as six (if they make the finals).
  
  ALL HOOKERS MATCH: At 12 Noon. The creation lives on, now going on its fifth year. Like volleyball every player will play all 15 positions. Tight five players only and no kicking is allowed. We have had as many as 70 guys participate in past years. And its free!!
  
  PARTY: We are currently looking for a site as usual, but I am dropping a hint now, "its all good, but we may have something different/new up our sleeve". TBA- to be announced.
  
  
• Pictures!
  Check out some pics from the Division I Women's Collegiate Tournament last weekend in Florida.
  http://public.fotki.com/rugbrea/clemson-07/
  http://public.fotki.com/rugbrea/stanford

I think that is it for me this morning....have a fabulous day and keep training!

More and more details are coming out about this topic.

Check it out this is the information I have found while digging around on the Internet. I love the Internet, you can find ANYTHING!

WARNING: Austin has NOT decided to challenge yet, some of us want to, but most just want to forget this ever happened. The reason for this continuing discussion is to prevent this from happening again. Bending the rules may make you feel strong, but is it right? I and others are are hoping that this will help change some things so that this doesn't happen again.

Thanks for listening...

1) An email from a coach in the SoCal region:

2) And I was able to get all the rosters from Belmont Shore's THREE D1 matches for their league schedule. Basically their player eligibility may not be correct. It appears that some of their players did not play in TWO matches as required by USA rugby...If I am to understand this email correctly from Kasey Richer ( kaseyricher@yahoo.com):

Kasey

3) So I made a spread sheet from the three rosters from their D1 league matches...I also included roster for the Challenge Match. Some of it matches up and some of it doesn't. I received these match rosters from the Paul Ganey ( scrfu@earthlink.net) of the SoCal Union.


(*click on image to get a larger view.)

Thanks, and and some interesting conversations have come from this on Blondies log at http://saturdayrugbyday.blogspot.com

I think the point here is that we all want to play rugby...that's why we sweat it out through workouts, officer duties, fundraiser etc. We want this battle to be on the field not because our team scouted out some of the best international players out there and loaded our team.

I understand that their are rugby swapping programs where you can go and play for a different country and such, but would you be able to switch teams mid-season and play for Ireland's World Cup Team? I highly doubt it...

Austin opened the 2007 season a different team. We lost 8 veterans and longtime friends and mates. Life was calling them in the direction of family, work, opportunity and more. We understand that you had your time with the Valkyries and that time was over. That doesn't mean that you don't think often of us and visit us! The support last weekend in alumni, recently retired players and rugger huggers was awesome!

We are still standing though! We recruited and managed to keep our numbers at around 26, with common numbers at practice around 12. We rallied though...we did the right thing, we kept playing rugby and kept pushing together.

My point here is...we knew going into this season that our league schedule was changing, that we could possibly be challenged by the #20 seed and that we were a changed team. We took this CHALLENGE and faced it with integrity, honor and we did it together.

Saturday, April 21, 2007 the Valkyries faced their biggest challenge this season. A team that was undefeated in the Southern California Rugby Union in league play and a team that was harping for a USA Rugby seed. We knew this was going to be a huge challenge and so we prepared for it from Day 1. The day finally came after months of training and we fought long and hard...unfortunately we were outgunned and were beaten.

Like my earlier post stated, we were singing this team's praises on Saturday at the drink up after the game. They were fit, fast and devastating in their game plan. The #10, #13 and #8 were brutal in their execution of plays, loose play and dynamic running. Soon after the game though we heard musing that some of these players were foreign and may have not been in the States very long.

Fortunately we had done our homework and knew that Belmont had a few foreign players that were supposed to be pretty good. Our scouting reports from other teams that had played them at Champagne Classic and in their own league matches warned us about them.

What we didn't know was the caliber of these players and the circumstances that involved them playing for Belmont:

#10 Justine Lavea -
http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/BFProfilee.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&IDID=5121
http://www.universitysport.org.nz/wp-content/files/File/PolicyDocs/2006%20NZU%20Blues%20Awards%20Recipients.pdf

*Listed just a few websites here, but soon found out that she won Defensive Back and Offensive Back last year in Auckland.

#13 Manuel Huriana -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/5348678.stm
http://www.nzrugbyworld.com/article.aspx?articleid=2164

*Once again I found plenty of links referencing this player, most notably was Women's Player of the Year last year.

#15 Valuese Taliu -
http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3893_1686820,00.html
http://www.womensportreport.com/rugby199.htm

*Plenty of links here too...just chose two of the first ones on google.

I have many many issues here...and I have been chastised more than once for speaking my mind...so I will try and be fair. A couple of points here are:

Is this fair? Bringing players over from other countries to fill out your roster? As USA Rugby states:

When we were reviewing the USA Rugby regulations it stated that each player must have met these regulations to play in ANY USA Rugby match leading up to a National Championship:

3.3. Player Eligibility

The purpose of these regulations is to prevent club hopping and the importation of guest players late in the season to strengthen teams for the later stages of competition leading to a USA Rugby Championship Event – these additional regulations are that:

a) Player must be CIPP enrolled for the club, through initial enrollment or transfer, prior to the earlier of (i) playing in any match that in any way leads to a USA Rugby Championship Event and (ii) April 15th for men's competitions and October 1st for women's competitions.

b) Player must have played for the club in at least two (2) Competitive Matches after September 1st at least a week apart from each other prior to participating in a TU playoff or championship. In the event a TU does not hold a playoff or championship, the matches must be played prior to the date the team qualifies for a USA Rugby Championship Event.

c) The player must not have have played for any other club after September 1st in a match that in any way leads to a USA Rugby Championship Event.

My issue here is that it appears that Belmont did bring these players over to give them a leg up...they recruited foreign players for a few months so that they would be sure and secure a seed for their union. It is hard to go against the evidence that Belmont knew what they were doing. As it states in point b) up above "player must have played for the club in at least two (2) Competitive Matches," so these players had to be over for a certain amount of time.

Are we playing for the sport here or are we playing for the win? Do we want women's rugby to come to this? We have all witnessed men's rugby where this issue is becoming more and more prevalent. So if you can't win a match on your own guns, bring in the BIG guns right?

I'm having a hard time because I want to throw a temper tantrum...I don't know how else to say it...THIS IS NOT FAIR!!

Yeah, I know you found a loophole...I know what you did is technically within the rules...but have you ever heard of ethics?

And the other side of the argument is...should we be so greedy about our 3 seeds? I could go on and on...but this has been bothering me for days and I am tired of it.

We are still standing Belmont...thanks for challenging our hearts, minds and rugby spirit.

I URGE Belmont to show me that they didn't do this. I know it would make me, my team and the whole rugby community feel better.

Austin Valkyries vs. Belmont Shore 0-86

Ohio State vs. Penn State 5-19
Army vs. Chico State 20-10
Appalachian State vs. University of N Iowa 12-58
University of Virginia vs. UC Davis 27-29
Navy vs. Brown 41-10
UC Santa Barbara vs. New Mexico 28-10
West Chester vs. Clemson 48-12
Stanford vs. Texas A&M 52-24


Texas A&M vs. Clemson 43-10
Virginia vs. Applachian 55-5
Brown vs. UC Santa Barbara 46-31
Chico State vs. Ohio State 42-10


Stanford vs. West Chester 71-10
UC Davis vs. University of N Iowa 43-23
Navy vs. New Mexico 15-29
Army vs. Penn State 17-12


Stanford University vs. UC Davis
University of New Mexico vs. Penn State University

Congratulations Ladies!

So my team is awesome. Really. Last night after a few of them read my blog they decided to have a H2O boat race after practice.

It was really fun! For those of you that don't know what a boat race is...its really simple. You get in teams and you are racing each other. A beverage is chosen (usually an adult beverage) and all the cups are filled to the same height.

Drinking commences when one person (not with a team) drinks their cup and usually they *flash* the crowd (we did it without flashing) and the teams begin drinking. The person in front must finish their cup before the person behind them can start and so on.

There is usually lots of spillage *cheating* but lots of swallowing and gurgling. Its a blast!

So we did it with water and it was really fun! Keep hydrating ladies, its going to be in the high 80s tomorrow!

I am a strong believer in hydration. As I prepare for the Valkyries challenge match against Belmont Shore this weekend...this point of importance has become forefront in my mind.

I played at the University of Oklahoma for five years, a hot, dry...and HOT climate you might say. Especially during the summer months, the AC was always blowing! I have always loved drinking water (yes straight from the tap!) and never had a problem hydrating before games.

So when I moved to Austin, TX last July I thought I was good to go! HA, my first game I started overheating and remember seeing three of my flyhalf. I just threw to the middle one...haha. So I had to revamp my strategy a bit for the even hotter and dry Austin heat. I just realized that some of my readers are probably cursing me right now as they still have snow, sleet and general crappy cold weather! Sorry! Austin has been in the 80's for weeks now...already packed all the winter gear up!

Anyways, so I was thinking of my hydration strategy...and wondered if other players have their strategies or just try to remember to drink water. I know some of you are probably thinking...strategy? Is she nuts? Maybe I am, but now I don't overheat when its over a hundred degrees outside!

Basically if I know I have a game on Saturday or a tournament, I start drinking more and more water starting Wednesday. I would say on a normal week, and a normal day I drink 6-8bottles (I re-use my Vitamin Water bottles...they are 20 fl oz) easily. Yesterday I kept a tally and I drank 8 of these bottles at work and at least 3 while at home last night. Today I have drank 8 bottles already and plan to drink more before practice and before bed.

My strategy for Friday is to drink as much water as I can...my pee should be clear and copious (thanks Mark!). Fridays I usually move to a nalgene bottle too, as I get tired of filling up the smaller bottles. Friday night I usually start drinking a bit of Gatorade because by Friday I am so tired of water I have to change it up to keep the hydration going.

Saturday varies if the match is in the morning or the afternoon. But basically I keep drinking until I am almost sick of drinking...and I haven't had a problem yet!

Does anyone else obsess about hydration like I do? Do you have a strategy? Or do you just drink tons of water the night before your match? Do you drink water, sports drinks or anything else?

Please check this out...AMAZING!

http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=?view=XXX_09NNN/

Here is a small sampling...

Ben Franklin, 2007
8.5 feet wide by 10.5 feet tall in three horizontal panels

Depicts 125,000 one-hundred dollar bills ($12.5 million), the amount our government spends every hour on the war in Iraq.

WRU Women DI Schedule

24 March St. Louis Sabres 24-14 Boulder Babes
31 March Austin Valkyries 5-18 Black Ice Austin

1 April Austin Valkyries 20-0 Boulder Babes
14 April Glendale Olde Girls 39-0 Boulder Babes
21 April St. Louis Sabres Kansas City Jazz

5 May Black Ice Glendale Olde Girls
5 May Kansas City Jazz Austin Valkyries
12 May Black Ice St. Louis Sabres

22 Sept Black Ice Kansas City Jazz
22 Sept Glendale Olde Girls Austin Valkyries
22 Sept Boulder Babes Kansas City Jazz

6 Oct Kansas City Jazz Glendale Olde Girls
6 Oct St. Louis Sabres Austin Valkyries

13 Oct Black Ice Boulder Babes
13 Oct Glendale Olde Girls St. Louis Sabres

The standings are updated by .PDF usually the Tuesday after the matches take place. Check out the link here.

Wow, its been beautiful the last couple of days! Spent the weekend working/promoting Fight Nite for my gym. The event was a sucess in that we sold over 500 tickets and had 10 LIVE fights for everyone to watch. The event was held at the Nutty Brown Cafe and was AWESOME! As soon as I get some pics I will post them.

Then yesterday was an even better day. Woke up to sunshine (even though the TV said it was 55 degrees outside) and a beautiful day! I would say it rounded out at about 80 degrees...and not a cloud in the sky. Spent most of the day outside, visited the dog park at Auditorium Shores, had snow cones and then took a nap on the futon. Was a glorious, glorious day!

RUGBY RUGBY RUGBY - THIS JUST IN...

7's Tournaments are shaping up all over the nation...there is a push to have more women's tournaments, so check out your local tournaments and email me! I will post them with pictures, flyers or whatever info you give me. Here are a few I have heard about:

• Dallas 7's (date is not set yet...June 2nd or June 9th)
  
  
• Corpus Christi 7's (I already blogged about this, but will do it again...)
  7s By The Sea
  Newport Pass (Corpus Christi), TX
  Sat. July 28, 2007
  Men's and Women's Beach Rugby on the Texas Gulf Coast.
  Barefoot, on the sand, free beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  For More Information
  www.corpuschristirugby.org
  Randall Stuart, Tournament Director/Club Secretary
  361-443-9683
  restuart@hotmail.com
  
  www.myspace.com/ccrfc
  www.myspace.com/randystuart
  
  
• 40th annual Sneath Cup 7s in Denver - Saturday July 7, 2007.
  We would like to have your club play in the Sneath Cup 7s. As you may know we are hosting one of the three Mens WRFU 7s Super Regional Qualifiers, Mens Social & Womens Club Brackets, Youth Division. Saturday July 7, 2007.
  
  So far Aspen, Dallas Fort Worth Elite, Kansas City Blues, Olympic Club (San Fran), Queen City, Santa Fe, The South RFU and the Barbos 2 competitive sides have expressed interest in attending.
  
  Last year we had Dallas Elite, Kansas City United, O Club, Sante Fe, Shreveport and ourselves as well as some local clubs in the tourney. The Qualifier bracket is a small (8 to 12 teams) but competitive event, 5 weeks before the National Club 7s.
  
  Two years ago we had a Women's bracket. We were not able to attract a Women's group last year but would like to again.
  
  Pitch size – 2 dedicated rugby fields with full dimensions and Goal posts
  
  Howard Kent (303) 620-9913 C nhil@earthlink.net
  Manager/Asst. Coach Denver Barbarians RFC 7s
  
  For travel contact Travel Corp, Jim Bob Glabman 303 595-0007 or 800
  222-9229
  
  
• Cape Cod 7's (LOVE THIS TOURNAMENT!!!) - July 28, 2007
  
  This year's theme is: Super heroes and villains! Start putting your costumes together and brainstorming your skit ideas!
  
  
  Congratulations to the Northeast Senior 7's and the Olde Girls for winning the competitive and social divisions in last year's tournament!
  
  In order to help improve our tournament for next year, please click here to take our survey. Thank you in advance for your input.
  
  Any questions or comments about the Cape Cod 7s Tournament, please contact Jenn Jones.
  
  
• 10th Annual Bloodfest 7s Westerns Super Regional Qualifier - 23 June 2007
  Zilker Park, Austin, TX
  
  GOT BLOOD?
  GIVE IT!
  Tournament promotes the Central Texas Blood & Tissue Center
  
  Entry Costs: (Pay now to play later)
  Super Qualifier Division $225 ($300 after 6/15/2007)
  Open and Social Division $175 ($225 after 6/15/2007)
  Women's Division $150 ($200 after 6/15/2007)
  
  More information: Huns Rugby Website
  
  
• Columbia Olde Grey has dedicated ourselves to building the “Premier” Women’s 7’s Tournament of the South East. Time and time again we have seen women’s team get the shaft at both 15’s and 7’s tournaments. In the South East you are usually lucky to see 4 or 5 women’s teams show up.
  
  We are trying to get a minimum of 16 women’s teams to commit to coming to Columbia, SC for our Lucky 7’s Tournament. If your team is going to travel to one tournament this summer, please make it this one.
  
  There will be multiple trophies for each division and we are dropping several thousand dollars on the Casino Party (See Below.)
  
  Lucky 7’s Rugby Tournament
  What: July 14th and 15th, Columbia Olde Grey Rugby will be hosting the “Lucky 7’s Rugby Tournament.” The Tournament will consist of 4 divisions.
  1. Men’s Divisions 2. Women’s Division 3. U-19 Boys Division 4. U-19 Women’s Division
  
  I promise you this will be the best 7’s tournament of the summer. The number of teams is limited, so contact us early if you want to guarantee a slot.
  Contact Info: oldgreyrugby@yahoo.com
  
  Where: Owen’s Fields, Columbia, SC
  When: July 14th and July 15th
  Cost: Men’s and Women’s Divisions
  $150 if paid before
  July 1st $250 if paid after July 1st
  Boy and Girls Under 19 Divisions
  $100 if paid before July 1st.
  $150 if paid before July 1st.

Feel free to submit your 7's tournament, just shoot me an email or leave it in the comments.

In other Rugby news...

• Division I Women's College Playoffs Pools A&D
  
  
  University of Florida is hosting (their website offered nothing for information...)
  
  USA Rugby has some info posted here.
  
  
• Division I Women's College Playoffs Pools B & C
  
  Penn State University if hosting (their website has some info, but points you here.)
  
  
• Iowa State's Women's Rugby Club headed to nationals for first time
  
  AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa State Women's Rugby club is teeming with confidence as it prepares to travel to Sanford, Fla., to take part in the USA Rugby Women's Collegiate National Championships April 21-22.
  
  "We have beaten some amazing teams," said Julie Freese, president of the club. "We have so much talent on this year's team, there is no doubt in my mind that if we work hard and give everything we have on the pitch that we will be national champions."
  Click here for the rest of the article.
  
  
• AGGIE DONATION - Texas A&M is headed to Sweet 16s on April 21st and 22nd. They NEED your help!!! Please contact Traci Schmidtke if you are willing to donate. This is the first time a Texas team has attended and its very exciting! Below is a letter that was sent out asking for donations:
  

  Parents and Alumni,
  
  Some of you have already received this, but I wanted to make sure it got to everyone who might want to help out. Our upcoming trip to Florida for the USA Rugby National Sweet Sixteen tournament is going to cost the team approximately $8,000. Should we qualify for the Final Four, the cost will be even higher.
  
  The players have worked extremely hard over the past few years to get to this point, their first ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. They need all the financial help they can get in order to continue down the road to a National Championship.
  
  I know you have all helped many times in the past, but we're asking for your assistance again. The following is a link to paypal that will allow you to donate to the women's travel fund. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. If you prefer, you can mail a check, made payable to TAMU WRFC, to Amy Burkhalter at 2404 Jaguar Ct. , Bryan, TX 77807. Please let her know if you would like a receipt.

7s By The Sea
Newport Pass (Corpus Christi), TX
Sat. July 28, 2007
Men's and Women's Beach Rugby on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Barefoot, on the sand, free beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For More Information
www.corpuschristirugby.org
Randall Stuart, Tournament Director/Club Secretary
361-443-9683
restuart@hotmail.com

www.myspace.com/ccrfc
www.myspace.com/randystuart

Please go rent the movie Bobby...the movie is inspiring, heroic and amazing. The world does need a social cleansing and it can start with politics. We don't have to work against the system. War is not the answer.

I know this post is all over the place, but I just feel like there still is hope, honor and integrity in this world. We just need the right person in charge to help lead us there...not force us to believe as they do.

The special features on the video are awesome as well, this film was directed and written by Emilio Estevez who has dedicated half of his life to Bobby and making this film.

Here are a few videos I found on You tube...some of the videos have had the embedding removed, not sure why.

Whew, feeling a little less pressure today as all I have to do is payroll and then we are playing poker at the House of WAM tonight. Hells yeah! So just a few myspace messages, blogs and a few emails this morning...

• U-19 Women's Rugby Blog
  Awesome video! Check it out...
  
  
  
  

• Columbia Olde Grey has dedicated ourselves to building the “Premier” Women’s 7’s Tournament of the South East. Time and time again we have seen women’s team get the shaft at both 15’s and 7’s tournaments. In the South East you are usually lucky to see 4 or 5 women’s teams show up.
  
  We are trying to get a minimum of 16 women’s teams to commit to coming to Columbia, SC for our Lucky 7’s Tournament. If your team is going to travel to one tournament this summer, please make it this one.
  
  There will be multiple trophies for each division and we are dropping several thousand dollars on the Casino Party (See Below.)
  
  Lucky 7’s Rugby Tournament
  What: July 14th and 15th, Columbia Olde Grey Rugby will be hosting the “Lucky 7’s Rugby Tournament.” The Tournament will consist of 4 divisions.
  1. Men’s Divisions 2. Women’s Division 3. U-19 Boys Division 4. U-19 Women’s Division
  
  I promise you this will be the best 7’s tournament of the summer. The number of teams is limited, so contact us early if you want to guarantee a slot.
  Contact Info: oldgreyrugby@yahoo.com
  
  Where: Owen’s Fields, Columbia, SC
  When: July 14th and July 15th
  Cost: Men’s and Women’s Divisions
  $150 if paid before
  July 1st $250 if paid after July 1st
  Boy and Girls Under 19 Divisions
  $100 if paid before July 1st.
  $150 if paid before July 1st.
  
  
• Knoxville Minx T-shirts are here!
  KWRFC team shirts are in!! If you would like to jump on our fashion band-wagon, post the size you want on our forum (look for T-shirts section under Practice & Match Info): http://www.knoxvillewomensrugby.com/forum
  Cost is $15. Red shirt with KNOXVILLE WOMEN'S RUGBY across the front in white. Make cheques out to Smoky Mtn Women's Rugby (don't ask).
  
  
• Save the Bride Update...over 1,000 views!!!
  That many people care about the Bride! And with the new video, the Bride's popularity is sure to soar even more! (videos appear to be down...)
  
  Well it's been a great run so far (haha, run, get it?) and the Bride is SO friggin impressed with the amount of support, both financially and personally she has received! Ruggers from all over the US (and elsewhere!) have wished her luck and some have even offered to meet her personally at the Fest! Let's hope she can make it there!
  
  There are only ten days left, as money that is put into paypal has a 5 day transfer period to the Bride's bank account. Then a ticket must be bought last minute (no really, this is really last minute stuff, we're talking DAY BEFORE THE F'N TRIP)... It will be VERY close, but it won't be close at all if the Bride doesn't get more donations! It will have to be a Maggotfest Miracle to make it!
  
  It's going to be a quick ten days! Keep up the hard work out there my Bride supporters! Send the Bride's cause on to anyone you know that hasn't heard of the Bride! Just copy the press release and send it on! Don't forget about Team Donations.
  
  Come on, you are all fundraisers out there, I know you have it in you to do some side fundraising for the Bride! I have done what I can from this end! The Bride now has only to trust in the rugby spirit! Cheers and Beers to you all! Let the next 10 days be filled with Donations!
  
  
• University of Maine vs. Boston University
  The University of Maine women's rugby team got out their shovels in order to make room for Boston University this past Saturday. After moving the snow out of the way, the Black Bears made quick work of the Terriers, dispatching them 55-10.
  
  The game was never in doubt as the Black Bears dominated the game both physically and mentally for the entire game.
  
  "We came out and executed our game plan," said senior Becky Woods. "This is exactly the type of game we needed for our confidence."
  
  
• Olde Girles of Glendale WRFC...welcome to Myspace!
  I will try and add you my website directory at http://playrugby.shorturl.com today sometime or in the next few days.
  
  
• USA Rugby Looking for Venues to Host Coaching Development Programs
  (via Goff) BOULDER, Colo. -- USA Rugby is currently accepting applications to host its Coach Development Program (CDP) Workshops this summer and fall. USA Rugby encourages any club, organization, TU or LAU to apply.
  
  Applications are due no later than May 15 for summer, and July 15 for fall, and will be reviewed on a variety of criteria including how early the applications are submitted.
  
  
• Speaking of Goff, he released his Top 20 for D1 clubs...and I clicked on the link expecting Men's and Women's rankings...but of course there was only men's. When are we going to get equal coverage?
  

My inbox is taking over...have to get some of it blogged!

• Ruggers.com is the exclusive on-line store for the US Eagles. Check out some of their new products! I would totally buy the fitted cap, but they only carry large and x-large versions right now...I am cursed with a small head!
  
  
• AGGIE DONATION - Texas A&M is headed to Sweet 16s on April 21st and 22nd. They NEED your help!!! Please contact Traci Schmidtke if you are willing to donate. This is the first time a Texas team has attended and its very exciting! Below is a letter that was sent out asking for donations:
  
  

  Parents and Alumni,
  
  Some of you have already received this, but I wanted to make sure it got to everyone who might want to help out. Our upcoming trip to Florida for the USA Rugby National Sweet Sixteen tournament is going to cost the team approximately $8,000. Should we qualify for the Final Four, the cost will be even higher.
  
  The players have worked extremely hard over the past few years to get to this point, their first ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. They need all the financial help they can get in order to continue down the road to a National Championship.
  
  I know you have all helped many times in the past, but we're asking for your assistance again. The following is a link to paypal that will allow you to donate to the women's travel fund. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. If you prefer, you can mail a check, made payable to TAMU WRFC, to Amy Burkhalter at 2404 Jaguar Ct. , Bryan, TX 77807. Please let her know if you would like a receipt.

• Yale defeats Vassar 24-17
  NEW HAVEN, CT (April 7, 2007) -- Well, they do say that pride comes before a fall and Vassar was elevated to a number 7 position in the national rankings this week. But the Brewers may have been guilty of looking past Yale, a team they had defeated 38-24 in the Fall Northeast playoffs. The Ivy Leaguers had an effective game plan and they pushed and bullied Vassar around earning a good win.
  
  Vassar College Women 17 v Yale University Women 24
  Tries: Danika Oriol-Morway (2), Bridget Meade (1).
  Cons: Alex Milne (1).
  Click here for the rest of the article.
  
  
• University of New Hampshire Rugby
  The boxy, digital, red letters read 5:45 a.m. and the alarm is blaring. Emily Moffett, a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire, rolls over and extends her long, slender legs down from her top bunk. Finally, after a short jump she lands on the floor and meets the eyes of her roommate Kristina.
  
  Kristina Marttinen, also a sophomore at UNH, is up and moving. She reaches for the floor and pulls her spandex shorts over her toned body. She brushes her hair and pulls it into a ponytail. There's no time for make up; it'll have to wait until after practice.
  Click here for the rest of the article.
  
  
• University of Alaska Anchorage Begins FIRST Women's Rugby Team
  Popp's passion for rugby did not end when she left Rutgers University. But, unlike New Jersey, Alaska did not have a women's rugby league. Popp spent a season playing for the Spenard Green Dragons, one of the local Anchorage area men's rugby clubs. Through the Green Dragons, Popp found many contacts that have helped her establish a women's team.
  Click here for the rest of the article.
  
  
• Wharton Wilde beasts Play First Game of Season
  Despite a broken down bus, a pitch covered in broken glass, and - oh yeah, the fact that only one person on the team had ever played the game before - Wharton's women's rugby team, affectionately known as the Wildebeests, successfully kicked off their season last Saturday at a tournament with Columbia.
  
  The women convened, half-asleep, at 7:55 Saturday morning, heeding stern warnings from the men of the Wharthogs that the bus would be leaving at 8am sharp.
  Click here for the rest of the article.
  
  
• Plattsburgh State Women's Rugby Attending 3 Spring Tournaments & Several Charity Events
  The Plattsburgh State women's rugby team will be participating in three tournaments in the spring 2007 season.
  
  They are also just coming off a different type of challenge, helping to sponsor the Relay for Life event which was held this past Friday at the PSUC Field House.
  
  The women's rugby team will join forces with the men in hosting the "TnT" Tournament for the 11th year at PSUC.
  
  The tournament is held to remember Plattsburgh State students and rugby players, Billy Erwin, Trevor Green and Tony Santandrea, while also raising money for the Tony Santandrea Memorial Scholarship for Plattsburgh State.
  Click here for the rest of the article.

So that's all I have time for today, I have been slammed at working promoting FIGHT NITE here in Austin. Check out the flier I put together, its going to be an awesome event!!

Check out this site...pretty cool!

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2791695

As promised, here are the scores!

Women Consolation CSU 15 Wayne 0
Women Consolation Wyoming 41 Truman 0
Women Semi UNM 26 CU 13
Women Semi A&M 13 Air Force 12

Women 7th/8th Truman 10 Wayne 8
Women 5th/6th Wyo 12 CSU 0

Women 3rd/4th CU 20 Air Force 8

Women Championship UNM 19 A&M 5

UNM defeats A&M to take West seed #1

19-5 was the final score. Looks like UNM will be playing UC Santa Barbara while A&M faces the defending champions Stanford. This is also the first year that Air force will not be going to Sweet 16s.

Great job ladies!

I can't find the scores from the other games...the tournament website hasn't listed them yet, so as soon as I know, you will know!

Saturday, April 07, 2007, Women’s Division I

Match # 5: New Mexico 32 - Colorado State 3
Match # 6: Colorado 43 - Wayne State 7
Match # 7: Air Force 43 - Truman State 0
Match # 8: Texas A&M 36 - Wyoming 5

Saturday, April 07, 2007, Women’s Division I

Match # 17: Colorado State 15 - Wayne State 0
Match # 18: Wyoming 41 - Truman State 0
Match # 19, Semi-final: Texas A&M 13 - Air Force 12
Match # 20, Semi-final: New Mexico 26 - Colorado 13

FINALS
1:00pm Tomorrow UNM vs. A&M

*Since the West gets TWO seeds this year, Texas A&M & UNM will be traveling to Sweet 16s...congrats ladies!

PLAYOFFS: POOLS A & D
April 21-22, 2007
University of Florida’s University Village South and Southwest Recreational Fields
Hosted By: Division of Recreational Sports- Sports Clubs Program & University of Florida Women’s Rugby

Match Schedule, University of Florida

Saturday, April 21
10:00 am: South #2 v Midwest #1
10:30 am: MARFU #3 v Pacific Coast #3
12:00 pm: MARFU #4 v South #1
12:30 pm: Pacific Coast #1 v West #2

Sunday, April 22
10:00 am: Pool D Consolation Bracket
10:30 am: Pool A Consolation Bracket
12:00 pm: Pool D Championship Bracket
12:30 pm: Pool A Championship Bracket

PLAYOFFS: POOLS B & C
April 21-22, 2007
Penn State University
Hosted By: Penn State University

Division I Women’s College Club Match Schedule, Penn State University

Saturday, April 21
9:00 am: Midwest #2 v MARFU #1
9:30 am: Northeast #1 v Pacific Coast #2
11:00 am: MARFU #2 v Northeast #2
11:30 am: So Cal #1 v West #1

Sunday, April 22
9:00 am: Pool B Consolation Bracket
9:30 am: Pool B Championship Bracket
11:00 am: Pool C Consolation Bracket
11:30 am: Pool C Championship Bracket

CHAMPIONSHIP:
May 4-5, 2007
Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford University

Division I Women’s College Club Championship Match Schedule,

Friday, May 4
12:00 pm: Semi Final
2:00 pm: Semi Final

Saturday, May 5
4:00 pm: Championship

http://picasaweb.google.com/angelia.fick/NashBash2007

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111754&id=29604395&ref=mf

http://ou.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111753&id=29604395

http://ou.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111751&id=29604395

http://ou.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111749&id=29604395

Here we go!

• I had forgotten that Katie Wurst from Glendale had forwarded me this email:
  
  40th annual Sneath Cup 7s in Denver. Saturday July 7, 2007.
  We would like to have your club play in the Sneath Cup 7s. As you may know we are hosting one of the three Mens WRFU 7s Super Regional Qualifiers, Mens Social & Womens Club Brackets, Youth Division. Saturday July 7, 2007.
  
  So far Aspen, Dallas Fort Worth Elite, Kansas City Blues, Olympic Club (San Fran), Queen City, Santa Fe, The South RFU and the Barbos 2 competitive sides have expressed interest in attending.
  
  Last year we had Dallas Elite, Kansas City United, O Club, Sante Fe, Shreveport and ourselves as well as some local clubs in the tourney. The Qualifier bracket is a small (8 to 12 teams) but competitive event, 5 weeks before the National Club 7s.
  
  Two years ago we had a Women’s bracket. We were not able to attract a Women’s group last year but would like to again.
  
  Pitch size – 2 dedicated rugby fields with full dimensions and Goal posts
  
  Howard Kent (303) 620-9913 C nhil@earthlink.net
  Manager/Assit. Coach Denver Barbarians RFC 7s
  
  For travel contact Travel Corp, Jim Bob Glabman 303 595-0007 or 800
  222-9229
  
  Blondie also blogged about it...lets try and support ladies!
  
  
• Here is an email I got from a disgruntled Memphis player that didn't post on my blog. She is apparently upset over the "scathing" (cough, cough) match report our Coach (Meredith Bagley) wrote about our match against Memphis. First the match report again and then the comments...you be the judge!
  
  For all Valks & Valk-lovers:
  
  The Austin Valkyries went 2-1 this weekend at NashBash, ending with two consecutive dominating victories to build some great momentum going into our first weekend of West Div I matches (see below). Our toughest match of the day came first, of course, at 10am Saturday v. the two-time defending Div II champion Raleigh Venom. We had some moments of brilliance but a few too many miscues and the Venom prevailed 19-0. However, their points came off simple errors, penalties & a freak kick-interception so we kept our heads high.
  
  In game two we faced Glendale (formerly the HOGS) who had picked up about 12 whores -- suffice to say we crushed them. The final score was Austin 18 Glendale 7...I know Ros scored once and Wendy had 2 lovely penalty kicks. Ros also got called names by her opposite -- that's how tough our defense was. :)
  
  On Sunday we faced Memphis, a scrappy but less skilled team. While Memphis earned one try, the Valkyries scored 3 gorgeous ones: a long series of phases ending with, no joke, a 1-14 switch on the wing between Traci & Rocky, a beautiful catch & counterattack by Shalay from about 30 meters out, and another gorgeous passing attack featuring 'Meg the Prop' stepping into 10 and ending with Shay scoring on the wing. This game ended early as the Memphis ladies kept dropping like flies in the heat...final score was Austin 15 Memphis 5.
  
  And now the email (from Mandy Yow yowbeast@gmail.com) that I think was totally unwarranted:
  
  "Bold comments you posted against Memphis. You played a partial Memphis team that had fought a hard fight the day before with an opening game against NOVA (ya know...the team that took the tourney) which we did loose by a try, but it was a very close game. As I recall, you guys had a fairly easy day on Saturday.Try us again when we are not as injured/hungover and short handed and you might feel a bit differently.
  Thanks for the motivation, however."
  
  I believe that if we had been trashing Memphis that maybe this email would have had a point...but the writeup was very fair and didn't say anything negative about Memphis. It was hot, there were a lot of injuries...nice try though!
  
  As a teammate of mine pointed out "Let’s see, we traveled by plane 860 miles with over 20 players – all Valkyries – and finished strong on Sunday...Even after playing the DII national champs on our “fairly easy” Saturday. They had a short 3-hour drive and were still short handed on Sunday. And she even had the lack of sense to admit they were hungover??
  
  
• Carleton Gives Eight Varsity Teams the Ax (Northfield, Minnesota)
  
  Carleton will cut eight teams from its varsity slate next year, the department of athletics announced today.
  
  The department has stripped the men's and women's rowing, golf and swim teams, the men's rugby team and the women's field hockey team of their varsity status.
  
  The teams will be encouraged to apply for competitive club status so they can continue inter university play.
  
  The cuts are a result of financial strain within the department, and were decided based on a nine-point criteria system.
  
  A report tabled by the Carleton's Competitive Sport Review Committee also suggested that unless the department's profit margin changes, athletics should wait four years before adding any new varsity programs.
  
  Make sure to check our website on Thursday April 5 for more on this developing story.
  
  
• College Rankings from Vassar College Athletics (obviously taken from Goff though...)
  
  1. Chico State (1)
  2. Army (2)
  3. Penn State (5)
  4. Stanford (4)
  5. Navy (7)
  6. Texas A&M (9)
  7.Vassar (16)
  8. Virginia (3)
  9. BYU (18)
  10. UCSB (10)
  11. New Mexico (6)
  12. Brown (11)
  13. Air Force (7)
  14. West Chester (16)
  15. U. Northern Iowa (13)
  16. UC Davis (12)
  17. University of Colorado (14)
  18. California (15)
  19. Cornell (23)
  20. Yale (20)
  21. Oregon (21)
  22. Eastern Illinois (22)
  23. Clemson (Unranked)
  24. UCSD (24)
  25. Ohio State (25)
  
  
• Women's rugby travels to nationals in No. 1 spot (Chico State)
  
  The women's rugby team was the national champion in 2001, but Chico State hasn't been ranked No. 1 in the nation going into playoffs - until now.
  
  The 'Cats defeated two top-ranked teams, starting with Stanford and continuing with Army, in the final game of the Champagne Classic in San Diego two weeks ago.
  
  Games against Stanford University have always been close, but the 'Cats have started to catch up to them.
  
  "We have the benefit of seeing them every year," head coach Alex Triantafyllou said. "I think we know their system."
  
  Experience continues to be what builds the team's performance. More of the article here.
  
  
  
• Women's rugby club slugs local competition (East Carolina)
  
  Many ECU club teams have performed well during the last couple of years, but none have succeeded quite like the women's rugby squad.
  
  This year, the Pirates finished with a 6-1-1 record, taking their only loss in the Division II Southern Region finals against College of Charleston, 15-13.
  
  "It was an emotional game," said ECU Women's Rugby Club President Elisa Ford.
  
  Last season the Pirates got to the finals of the Division II Southern Region tournament, but lost to the University of Georgia by one point. ECU was then informed that UGA had used ineligible players and that the Pirates would be allowed to go to the Division II National Finals.
  
  Unfortunately, because of the discrepancy, the club team had not been told in a timely fashion and could not gather the funds to attend the national tournament. Click here to read more of the article.
  
  
• U19 Women's Rugby Blog - MARFU U19 Tryout Camp

I believe that is all for me today...keep it coming ladies! I love getting the emails, news, blogs, photos and more.

Don't forget to check out my RUGBY STORE and to visit the ONLINE RUGBY CALENDAR.

Have a great Easter Weekend.

via digg.com and Metro.co.uk

Student Punished for Wearing Full Pirate Garb

A student has been suspended from school in America for coming to class dressed as a pirate.

But the disciplinary action has provoked controversy – because the student says that the ban violates his rights, as the pirate costume is part of his religion.

Bryan Killian says that he follows the Pastafarian religion, and that as a crucial part of his faith, he must wear 'full pirate regalia' as prescribed in the holy texts of Pastafarianism.

The school, however, say that his pirate garb was disruptive.

Pastafarians follow the Flying Spaghetti Monster (pictured), and believe that the world was created by the touch of his noodly appendage. Furthermore, they acknowledge pirates as being 'absolute divine beings', and stress that the worldwide decline in the number of pirates has directly led to global warming.

Pastafarianism gained wide attention when its key prophet, Bobby Henderson, wrote to the Kansas School Board during the height of the controversy over 'Intelligent Design' being taught in science classes. His letter, also published on his website, demanded equal time be given to the teachings of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as was given to ID and evolutionary theory.

Since then, the Flying Spaghetti Monster has gained countless followers worldwide, although there are those who remain spagnostic.

The school, in North Buncombe, North Carolina, remains adamant that their decision to suspend Killian for a day has nothing to do with his religion, and quite a lot to do with his repeated refusal to heed warnings against wearing pirate outfits.

Western Collegiates will be held this weekend in Greeley, CO this weekend to determine which team from the West will continue on to Sweet 16's.

The tournament website is here.

Seedings:
1. Airforce
2. New Mexico
3. Colorado
4. Texas A&M
5. Wyoming
6. Wayne State
7. Colorado State
8. Truman State

Good luck this weekend ladies!

Big Weekend for Rugby! Looking at the Online Rugby Calendar there were tons of games this weekend:

Foolsfest Tournament
Austin Valkyries vs. Black Ice *Black Ice won 19-5
Austin Valkyries vs. Boulder Babes * Austin Valkyries won 20-0
Belmont vs. Scottsdale
Brandywine vs. NY Village Lions
Chicago vs. St Louis
DC Furies vs. Raleigh *Furies defeated Raleigh
DC Furies B vs. Norfolk *Norfolk defeated the Bside
Detroit vs. MSU
E. Kentucky vs. WKU
Georgia Tech vs. COFC
Glendale vs. Atomic Sisters & Scottsdale
MARFU Developmental Round Robin
Morris vs. Harrisburg
NOVA vs. Keystone
NOVA B vs. Chesapeake
NOVA C vs. Chasapeake B
PSU vs. Maryland *Maryland defeated Philly
Providence vs. Chicago Northshore
Riverside Rattlers vs. Las Vegas
Santa Monica vs. Tucson
Suffolk Bullmoose vs. Fordam, Stony Brook & Fairfield

Some of the news in my inbox is below:

• U.S. National Women’s Sevens Team Wins Plate in Hong Kong
  
  HONG KONG – The U.S. National Women’s Sevens Team went 4-1 during its two days of competition at the 10th Cable & Wireless Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament, winning the plate final against China, 22-5.
  "Overall, our team showed more poise, discipline and focus then ever before,” U.S. Sevens Head Coach Julie McCoy. “It is our goal to continue developing our game of sevens in the ‘American Style’.”
  The U.S. Women outscored their opponents 94-29 after everything was said and done, with the only loss coming at the hands of the Australian Women, who ended up playing New Zealand for the Cup Championship later that evening. (rest of the article via USA Rugby.org)
  
  
• USA Women’s U-19 Team Lose Heart breaker to Wales U-19’s
  
  RUMNEY, Wales -- A last second penalty kick by Wales resulted in the National Women’s Under-19 Team losing their second game of their U.K. tour by only one point, 15-14. (rest of the article via USA Rugby.org)
  
  
• USA Women's U-19 Team Lose for the 3rd Time Against Canada
  
  The USA U19 women's team dropped the third game in their three-game tour of the UK, 32-5 to Canada. (article via Goff *subscription required)
  
  
• USA U-19 Team Blog (FREE articles, pictures and a cute video of their rookie skit...)
  

• Austin Valkyries Open West Season 1-1, end on high note...
  
  AUSTIN, TX -- The Austin Valkyries women's rugby club opened their 2007 West Division I season with one win and one loss this weekend at Burr Field. The team, while a bit battered, ended on a high note and plans to take that motivation into their challenge match April 21 v. Belmont Shore.
  Saturday's match versus the Denver Black Ice proved too tough a challenge for the Valks who, despite scoring first, fell 19-5 to the visiting Ice. Simple errors held the Valkyries back from adding more points although the action was balanced for much of the game. Effort and desire were not lacking from the home team, rather the timing & continuity usually associated with an Austin attack was just not quite clicking. Rucks were won and scrums were spun, but the scoreboard was not our friend at the final whistle.
  Sunday dawned a new day and the Valks were bent on revenge. Despite the aches & pains of playing the day before, and without the services of all-everything Meg Pace (knee), the Valkyries pulled together and put on a display of teamwork, snot-nosed tackling, and a 1-15 attack to decisively shut out the Boulder Babes 20-0. Traci Schmitdke kept up her scoring spree from Nash Bash with two tries on the day, first off a gorgeous line out combo with Rachel Kraft and then by adding the insurance try off a back line break by Rosalind Chou.
  The nail in the coffin, however, was a devastating 75-meter breakaway run by our rookie wing Latoya Walker. Luckily coach Heidi Whitman could keep up with Latoya along the sideline to instruct her where, when & how to touch the ball down for the score. Scrumhalf Wendy Young converted a 22-meter penalty kick in the second half to complete the scoring.
  Looking ahead, the Valks are off the next 2 weekends (with a possible scrimmage April 14) but then face a revamped Belmont Shore squad on the 21st. Thanks to all the fans & old girls who supported us this weekend, we hope to see you then!
  
  
• BYU downs New Mexico State 24-12 on March 31, 2007.
  
  The BYU women's rugby team defeated New Mexico 24-12 Friday.
  The two teams battled close for most of the game, and in fact the contest was tied up 7-7 at halftime. (via Goff *subscription required)
  
  
• Navy, Penn State Women Win
  
  It will be a Penn State v. Navy final in the Mid-Atlantic women's DI college playoffs as PSU hammered West Chester 51-17 and Navy downed Virginia 17-0.
  "It was actually a very difficult first half for us," said Penn State head coach Pete Steinberg. "We were into the wind and the penalty count was something like 14-2 against us. Sometimes when we don't blow teams away early some of our players have a tendency to lose it a little." (via Goff *subscription required)
  
  
• Northern Iowa Downs Minn. U23s
  
  The University of Northern Iowa women's team started their spring season this past weekend with a victory over the Minnesota U23s in St. Cloud.
  UNI scrimmaged with the Twin Cities Amazons women's team on the trip, which head coach Steve Murra said went very well. then they took on the MRFU U23s and got tries from Chelsey Iverson, Rochelle Walter, Amy Conrad, Kayla Soliday, and Ashley Mulford in the 31-17 victory. (via Goff *subscription required)
  
  
• Check out the Hong Kong Diaries...they have been updated.