BEING DEFENSIVE

How can the Panthers have a better performance than a 72-0 thrashing of Central Michigan? Senior flanker Katie Folliard said by giving it all they have on the field.

“It doesn’t matter who we play, we go into every game physically tough and mentally capable,” Folliard said. “I was proud of everyone”.

Folliard added that some of the girls had never played Rugby before, actually did an outstanding job last Saturday.

Head coach Frank Graziano was also pleased with his team’s performance. Graziano does not allow hitting and tackling in practice, but was impressed with the tenacity and grit the defense showed Saturday.

“All in all, it was a pretty nice start to the season,” Graziano said. “We executed things we worked on in practice and putting 70 points on the scoreboard having so many new players was very nice to see.”

Defensively, senior co-captain Lindsay Leskanich and Folliard were all over the field, Graziano said.

Graziano was also impressed with the play of freshman Stephanie Militello.

“She looked like she’s been playing for years,” he said.

VETERANS LEARN NEW POSITIONS, Newcomers adjust

Junior Co-captain Eileen O’ Rourke said that since the new players were getting used to playing for the first time, most of the veterans were called upon to play new positions.

“I did fairly well,” O’Rourke said. “I played a new position that requires speed and critical thinking.”

O’Rourke switched from her usual position of forward to scrum-half.

Sophomore outside center Molly Clutter also said “all the newcomers did an awesome job.”

“We played decent for our first game,” she said.

Clutter added her synopsis on why the Panthers cruised past the Chippewas.

“We were more game fit,” she said.

Senior Scrum-half Billie Salyers said she was able to notice a few teammates who gave all-out performances on Saturday. Salyers said the freshman Militello scored two times and had crucial tackles, which set up other teammates for scores.

SOPHOMORE TIES TEAM RECORD

Sophomore wing Samantha Manto tied a team record Saturday held by current assistant coach Brittany Brown, for most scores in a game with six.

Despite Manto tying her record, Brown isn’t upset.

“Records are there to be broke,” Brown said. “The bar should always be set that high.”

And after tying the team record, Manto has her sights set on something more this season.

“I hope to break it (the record) one day,” said Manto, who insists the reason she tied the record was because “it was me being at the right place and the right time”.