Despite these fallbacks, the team is still practicing hard and gearing up for the game against American University on April 7th.  The team is also preparing for the Relay for Life fundraiser, April 14th, by designing team t-shirts and showing Invictus for a movie night.  All in all, this may be a slow start to our spring season, but the team is still excited and ready for what April will bring.

Peace, Love, Rugby

Peace, Love, Rugby

Practices will officially start Monday, September 19 – more details to follow. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about the Women’s Rugby Club or if you would like to join, please contact our Recruitment Chairs, Alyi and Ashley, at drexel.wrugby.recruitement@gmail.com.

See you in the fall!

• March 5: 11 AM Home vs. Kutztown
• March 12: 11 AM Home vs. York
• April 2: 11 AM Away vs. TCNJ
• April 9: (Time TBD) vs. St. Joe’s University at Fairmount Park
• April 15-17: Beast of the East Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island
• April 30-May 1: Ruggerfest Tournament in Washington, D.C.
• May 14: 2 PM Away vs. Philly Women B-Side
• May 21: (Time TBD) Alumni Game at Fairmount Park

Nov. 21, 2010 – Cherry Hill, NJ

On a blue sky crisp and sunny Fall day, the National Small College Rugby Organization’s (NSCRO) Divisions 3 and 4 Women’s Collegiate Championships were concluded. The D3 final was a very exciting match between the East Penn Rugby Union Champion Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) and the New England Rugby Football Union Champion Bentley University (Waltham, MA). Bentley prevailed 3-0 to win the Division 3 National Championship.

After their solid wins in the semifinals on Saturday, the Bentley-Drexel match was expected to be a tight one. Drexel quickly went on attack from the opening kick-off and drove deep into Bentley territory. A penalty was awarded to Drexel about 25 meters from the goal line and Drexel opted to run a play instead of attempting a kick at goal. Bentley stopped the attack at the goal line. Bentley then took possession and maintained a continuity of possession as they drove into Drexel’s territory. An offside call against Drexel 15 meters from the goal line and right in front of the goalposts offered Bentley a relatively simple shot at a penalty goal. Bentley coach Yancy Graf signal to her club to make the attempt and a fortuitous decision it was as the kick by flyhalf Alexa Yerxa was good and gave Bentley a 3-0 lead. Both teams attacked and counter-attacked back and forth for most of the game with Drexel having some good scoring chances but often turning the ball over in contact.

With 10 minutes left in the match, Drexel maintained possession of the ball and attacked the Bentley goal relentlessly. Bentley’s players dug in and refused to let up and tackled every ball carrier in sight. A Drexel player appeared to score a try but lost control of the ball as she crossed the goal line resulting in a Bentley scrum. Time ran out on Drexel and Bentley won 3-0 to earn the Division 3 National Championship title.

On Saturday,  in the second semifinal, the University at Albany (New York State Rugby Conference Champion) used its outside speed to take a 19-17 half time lead over Drexel. In the second half, Drexel regroup to score 4 tries and pull out a 37-19 win.

Bentley’s talented flyhalf Alexandra Yerxa was named MVP, while Drexel’s fleet-footed scrumhalf Hannah Bennett was named the “Heart and Soul” of her club and was awarded the game ball.

A crowd of over 200 spectators, including friends and families of the players, enjoyed the action on the field and the crowning of the 2 National Championships.

All of the matches were videotaped by BC Productions under the direction of owner Roberto Albarracin (www.bbcstudio.com). Expert match commentary was provided by USA Rugby National Women’s Team player Phaidra Knight.

The NSCRO extends its appreciation to those who helped make this an excellent rugby event, including the host club, Philadelphia Women’s RFC (www.pwrfc.org), South Jersey RFC (www.southjerseyrugby.org) for use of their excellent field, the medical staff of Dr. Katie Gollotto, Dr. Merrick Wetzler and ATC Danielle Lodics, and referees Terry Haas, Pete Hesler, Lance Huelsmann and Dan Dohony along with assistant referees Richard Cobb, Vicky Crosier, Quinn Conaboy and Dave McHugh.

For more information on the NSCRO, visit our website at www.nscro.org

Drexel will represent the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) in the Championship games. Opponents that weekend include three teams representing the New England RFU, New York State RC and Met New York RFU.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, November 20-
12:45 PM: D3 Semifinal – DREXEL UNIVERSITY vs. Albany University

Sunday November 21*-
11AM: D3 Championship.
*Sunday’s match is contingent on if Drexel win’s Saturday’s match.

DIRECTIONS:
The field is close to the corner of Cropwell Road and E. Evesham Road, Cherry Hill, NJ. There is parking adjacent to the field. Directions can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2wzwzno.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
These Championships are run by the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) to recognize the efforts of the dedicated players and coaches of small college rugby programs. It is being hosted by the Philadelphia Women’s RFC (http://www.pwrfc.org/).

If you have any questions, please contact us at Drexel.WRugby.President@gmail.com.

To RSVP to the event, please visit our Facebook Fanpage.

The Drexel Women’s Rugby team finished off their regular season with a 36-5 win over University of Pennsylvania. The Lady Ruggers finished their season UNDEFEATED in league play. With that being said, this weekend starts the playoffs! DWR will be making their second appearance in a row in the EPRU playoffs with their game against Millersville on Saturday, November 6th at 10:45 AM in Princeton, NJ. After a win in the first round of games, DWR could advance to play a second game on saturday and then on Sunday.

Info you need to know!

Who: Drexel University Women’s Rugby (of course!)

What: Playoff game vs. Millersville U. (and possibly others)

When: Saturday, November 6th at 10:45 AM (kickoff time)

Where: Princeton University rugby fields (directions can be found below)

FROM PHILADELPHIA DELAWARE MARYLAND ETC

Route 95 North into New Jersey Staying on Route 95 North proceed to exit 8B Princeton Pike North Take Princeton Pike (Mercer St) until you reach a 25 MPH speed zone Proceed on Mercer St down the hill in front you Proceed up the hill and through the next light Take your next right onto Alexander Street Proceed on Alexander St until you reach the second light Make a left onto Faculty Road Make a right at the next light and cross over the bridge Make the next left proceed up the hill and the fields are on the right just past the first fence

FROM THE NORTH

NJ Turnpike South to Exit 9 New Brunswick After the toll booth use a booth on the far right turn right onto the ramp to Highway 18 North Soon after turn into the lefthand fork of the road staying in the right lane (you will see a Bennigans Restaurant ahead to your right as your bear left) You will immediately bear right for an obscured exit to US 1 South Trenton These 3 turns occur in rapid succession to be careful Follow US 1 about 18 miles to the exit at Route 571 Washington Road Turn right and follow Washington Road Route 571 until you see soccer fields on your right and then make a right just past the fields Follow this road next to the soccer fields until you come to the right fields just past the first fence

FROM THE SOUTH

NJ Turnpike North to Exit 8 Hightstown Turn left onto Highway 33 after exiting the turnpike follow signs for Route 571 Continue for approx 12 miles on Route 571 until you reach the intersection of Route 1 Continue straight on Route 571 across US 1 Once you cross the intersection Route 571 becomes Washington Road Continue on Washington Road until you see soccer fields on your right and then make a right just past the fields Follow this road next to the soccer fields until you come to the rughy fields just past the first fence

Help the Dragons surpass last year’s total of 859 pints collected and win the CAA Challenge for the 5th year in a row! The Red Cross will be collecting blood at the University City Main Campus, Center City Hahnemann Campus, Burlington County Campus and Sacramento Campus.

In 2009, the Drexel Dragons beat arch rival University of Delaware Blue Hens and matched their 4-year winning record! YOU can make a difference in helping save someone’s life and at the same time help Drexel win the CAA Blood Challenge.

For more information please visit http://www.drexel.edu/giveblood/.

• Come support the team at Mikey’s Bar and Grill located at 32nd and Chestnut. From 9PM until close members of the team will be guest bartending – all funds we receive will come straight from tips. Bring a few friends!
• Join us at Vidas October 9 (this Saturday) for our season home-opener against St. Joe’s at Vidas! Kickoff is at 2PM.

Practices will officially start Monday, September 20 – more details to follow. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about the Women’s Rugby Club or if you would like to join, please contact our Recruitment Chair, Mena, at ms3329@drexel.edu.

See you in the fall!