Colby Women’s Rugby completes conference play undefeated

Colby Women’s Rugby competed in their last game of conference play in Rhode Island against Providence College and came out with a win this Saturday, Oct. 30. 

Overall, the season ran smoothly for the team, with a friendly match against the Bowdoin Polar Bears being their only loss of the season. This friendly, an out of conference game, is played every fall season between the teams due to their close relationship and respect for the level at which they compete. 

The game against Providence College was the first game between these teams in recent memory, so there were no expectations. The Mules had a two game winning streak entering the match, while the Friars had yet to produce a win. 

When asked to reflect on this weekend’s game as a whole, Forwards’ Captain Maddie Wehr `22 was proud of her team. 

“We had to play in tough conditions, with new positions, a rather biased ref[eree], and even players competing in their first ever rugby game,” she said. 

Despite these conditions, the Mules started off strong with a try in the first four minutes of the game scored by flanker Annika Chiang-Boeckmann `24. This move was followed by a successful conversion by the fly-half, Katie Hull `23.

After scoring early, the Mules quickly lost momentum as whistles and calls from the ref created choppy play. The Mules’ preferred style of play consists of continuous play and blending together backs and forwards plays.

Ashley Shegog `23 scored the next try for the Mules, marking her first try of the season and of her career. The game was brought to 12-0, marking the only points scored in the first half.

The second half started similarly to the first, with another try by Shegog within the first couple of minutes. However, a quick return try by the Friars due to a successful scrum and a weak-side play proved the Mules were too slow to counter, bringing the score to 17-5. 

After being scored on, the Mules seemed to gain momentum and motivation, responding with four more tries scored by members of the back line, Maya Rebitzer `23, Sophia Merriweather `23, and two by wing Julia Lancia ‘22. The tries came with two more successful conversions by Hull. The conversions marked a continuation of Lancia’s best and highest-scoring season at the College.

While the Mule’s statistics for the season reveal a dominant team, the beginning of the season was less than perfect.

“During our first game, we really struggled to work as a team, but since that wake-up call, everyone has put in the work to improve, and it is paying off!” Wehr said. “The forwards and backs are playing well together, and we are finally playing as one unit. I am so proud of everyone, and I want to continue this winning streak into our post-season play.”

“Every year that I have been a part of the Mules’ rugby team, we have made it to nationals (minus the COVID-19 year, of course), and I want to continue that legacy. I know our team has what it takes to go all the way,” she added.

Rebitzer doubled-down on her co-captain’s remarks:

“Watching the [Providence College] game tape and seeing how we looked overall compared to our first game in Vermont against St. Michael’s College, it was a completely different team,” she said. “It was almost a completely different sport,” Rebitzer reflected.

“So, it has been great to see how much our team has pulled together and improved and developed chemistry,” she added.

This was evident in the second half when the Mules scored a total of 24 points and only conceded 5. The final try of the game was made by the Friars after a series of penalties committed by the Mules. This brought the game final to 41-10 in favor of the Mules.

Despite the back players doing most of the try scoring, it was thanks to the persistent forwards that the Mules came out victorious. A spotlight player of the game was rookie Jackie Ko `25. She had her first start of her career in the prop position and was a strong and reliable member of the first line of the scrum. With only a few previous minutes played as a member of the Mule forwards and even less game time in the front line of the scrum, Ko provided a brave front and was essential to Saturday’s win.

Both Wehr and Rebitzer conveyed optimism for success in post season play. They are hopeful for a home game on Nov. 13. The Mules wait for further information to be released this weekend.

~ Katie Hull ’23