Rugby Teams to Compete Weekend Tournaments

The CUA men's rugby football club finished the season with a record of 4-6, qualifying for the fall playoffs. The team will host three other D.C. universities during Saturday's annual Capital Cup.

In the fall, season the team finished with a record of 2-3. The team defeated St. Mary's and George Washington, but fell to Navy, Salisbury and Hopkins. Though qualifying for the play-offs of the Potomac Rugby Union, the team was ineligible to participate due to the late cancellation of a 2001 playoff game, according to team president Matt Pinckney. "The suspension was only one year and we will be eligible for the 2003 playoffs," said Pinckney.

The team has had a similar spring season winning games against UMD-Baltimore County, 27-10, and St. Mary's, 25-19. Losses to Quantico, 17-12, Fordham, 24-3, and Navy, 25-5, matched the record of the fall season.

"The team has been steadily improving since we got our new coach. He has been our first steady coach in a long time and has organized the team," said Pinckney.

Seniors Neil McGinley and Matt Scorzafava have led the team on the field this year. Sophomore Vito Altavas and freshman Bernie O'Brien have also contributed to the offense. Senior Eric Thompson has been the team leader and the best player on the team, according to Pinckney.

"Easy [Thompson] is a hard worker, who knows the game well. He is definitely not a finesse player. He likes to pound it inside and makes the other team beat him face to face. He plays with no fear and everyone likes playing with him," said Altavas.

The season will culminate with the Capital Cup hosted by CUA Saturday at noon. The five-year-old tournament is an annual competition between George Washington, American, Georgetown and Catholic. "We can take this tournament," said Altavas.

Last year the Cards made it to the championship game, but lost to Georgetown, a fate had during all five years of the tournament. Pinckney anticipates "another tough match" against the Hoyas this year. "It's really between us and [Georgetown]," said Pinckney.

"This year we had a lot of talent, but lacked chemistry. We have made a large leap from last year to this year and the team is only going to get better," said Altavas.

Women's Rugby

The CUA women's rugby football club finished the regular season at 4-1, and will end the year this weekend as they compete at the Capital Women's Ruggerfest.

"Ruggerfest is an all-women's tourney, featuring players from the high school, college and professional level," according to former club president junior Emily Broe. CUA will be competing in the social bracket where they will face other college teams such as Georgetown.

"Playing in a tournament like this, with professionals, gives the team a feel for how rugby is a way of life. We will make connections so we can play in summer leagues, and many of us will use the tournament as a showcase for college talent," said Broe.

CUA and Georgetown, both of whom will be at Ruggerfest, started programs last year according to Broe. "When we play Georgetown we see it as an opportunity to see how both teams have grown. And we kick their asses," said Broe.

In their first game of the year on March 22, CUA defeated Georgetown, 20-18. The team then shut out George Washington March 29, 24-0. The Lady Cards were on the opposite end of this score when they were shutout by Salisbury, 24-0, April 4. "We lost to Salisbury because their girls are amazons," said sophomore outside center Kat Christian.

Playing two matches in one weekend, the team destroyed Washington College April 12 and the University of Maryland April 13. Washington College provided CUA with little competition according to Christian, as Catholic coasted to a 24-0 victory. Inside center Jamie Punyko led all scorers with 10 points off of two tries. UMD offered even less competition to the Lady Cards, as CUA defeated the Terps 41-5. Flanker Emily Clark notched all three of CUA two-point conversions. "This was UMD's first ever game, so beating them showed our team the progress we have made in the past year. We have improved individually and as a team," said team captain and fly half Katie McEvoy.

"We are a fast team and we work together which is why we've been able to win games," said sophomore wing Molly Shanon. "And the core of our team is returning next season, so we are hoping to continue our success and expand our schedule."