Women’s Rugby is off to a confident start in their fall season
On Saturday, Sept. 24, The Geneseo Women’s Rugby team had their home opening game against Buffalo State. Although this was a non-league match, the Warthogs put their hearts on the field and played an amazing game. Buffalo State forfeited due to low numbers, but the hunger to play rugby was overpowering, so as a community they found a way to compete. Any chance to play rugby is an opportunity to better the experience of players and, as always, to have fun. The Upstate New York Women’s Collegiate Conference has Geneseo in the running against St. Bonaventure University, Fredonia, Buffalo State, Niagara University, and University of Rochester in the small college west division, and the Hogs are holding their own as they make their way through the competition.
This season, the veteran players consist of mostly sophomores with the exception of one senior and one junior, after losing their large senior class after graduation. Last year’s seniors passed on a determined and persevering new generation who are confidently living up to the success that the team has had in the past. The new rookie class that made their way to this committed team are off to a great start as a part of the family. The team’s biggest hope is to make their way to the playoffs this season, and the future is already looking bright for these young hogs.
The Hogs played a great game against Buffalo State and put on a good show of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The team put up a good fight while scoring three tries and making two conversion kicks. The try scorers consisted of senior flanker Julissa Valdez, sophomore scrumhalf Claire Lewis, and freshman rookie fullback Ava Spottek, with her first ever try on the team as well as making the two conversion kicks for an impressive total of 19 points. This left Geneseo with a record of 2-1 so far this season, and they are eager to advance the record. Last season, Geneseo ended with a record of 2-2, and they have their heads high in anticipation to set a better record this year.
The Hogs will play another match this weekend as they take on Niagara University on Oct. 1, kicking off at 11 a.m. Niagara finished last season off with a record of 2-2 and Geneseo is excited to go up against them. The mighty Warthogs have been working their tails off to play good and clean rugby, putting out plenty of talent and tenacity—a successful motif in the Geneseo Women’s Rugby career. If you see a Warthog around campus, be sure to wish them good luck for the rest of their season!