By Skye Tulio
Sports Assignment Editor
The women’s rugby team fell to Ithaca last Saturday, 33-17, in its first loss of the season. The Bonnies (2-1) host Geneseo (2-1) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Against the Knights, Coach Tracy Schrems said the team needs to stay on the offensive as much as possible.
“We’re not a defensive team,” Schrems said. “We can handle defense, but the problem is we’re in a division with girls who are a bit bigger than we are and who have been playing defensive games forever against these power house schools like Syracuse, Geneseo, Fredonia and UB.”
Schrems said what the Bonnies lack in size and strength they make up for in speed.
“They can’t stop us on the outside or when our forwards get moving with the ball,” Schrems said. “We need to stay on the offensive and play our fast game of rugby.”
In light of its recent move to Division II in the Empire Rugby Football Union Geographic Union the women face the Knights’ A (D-II) team for the first time, instead of the school’s B (D-III) team.
Nichole Dylag, team president, said they need to improve defensive strategies and tweak offensive strengths to prepare for different types of teams.
“They’re going to be a pretty tough team,” Dylag said. “We’re really working hard this week in practice to step up our game, fix any mistakes we’ve been making and make our strengths even stronger.”
Tight-head prop Elena Gonzalez said setting a consistent starting line is important to getting everyone synchronized.
“We need to work with our starting line and really solidify who goes where and who does what,” Gonzalez said.
Against Ithaca, the Bonnies fell behind from the start, allowing the Bombers to gain a 28 point lead (four tries) by the end of the first half.
Captain Jess Misiaszek made one conversion kick and junior Kayla Cronin had two tries in the game.
“I think we underestimated Ithaca,” Schrems said. “Ithaca came into that contest 0-2. Anytime you’re going up against a team that is defeated versus undefeated that’ll play with your head.”
Dylag said Ithaca’s strength is what allowed them to get over on the Bonnies, but the team needs to come equipped for even bigger and better teams.
“They were a very strong team and we have to be prepared to take on stronger teams,” Dylag said. “They’re bigger girls, more muscular, but we’ve been working hard to condition and improve our skills.”
Schrems said the Bombers had nothing to lose and came into the game playing like they wanted to win, especially in their own backyard.
“We were slacked the first half of the game,” Schrems said. “You can’t play catch up rugby in this division, and we were playing catch up. Unless they completely quit the second half of the game, there’s no way you’re going to catch up four tries. We gave them a run for their money, but it wasn’t enough.”
Gonzalez said the game helped the Bonnies to realize what they are going to be up against this season.
“I think it definitely opened the eyes of our rookies as well as veterans to what D-2 means, especially in our league,” Gonzalez said. “There is no technical Division I in our league. We are up against D-1 teams and just because it says D-2 doesn’t necessarily speak to the skill level of the team.”
Gonzalez said the disorganization of the team ultimately cost the Bonnies the game.
“We had a lot of girls who just couldn’t make it to the game who are key parts to our team,” Gonzalez said. “Losing them and putting in new rookies without organization was pretty much the downfall.”
Schrems said the loss was needed and helped the Bonnies realize playing from behind is not an option.
“Sometimes you need that to happen to understand that we need to change things up and focus a little bit more on what we’re doing,” Schrems said. “We’re not playing catch up rugby anymore. We’ll go in to Geneseo immediately on the offense and we’ll do everything we can to stay on the offense.,We stay there with our forwards and our fly halfs and with our wings and there’s no way that they’ll catch them. Our girls are very fast.”
