The Eastern women’s rugby team has a definite plan of attack for Saturday’s game against Iowa State.

The Panthers want to control the first 15 or 20 minutes of the game and put points on the board early, head coach Frank Graziano said.

“It really builds up the team and builds up the team’s confidence as a whole,” freshman prop/lock Tasha Buchmiller said about scoring early. “It would be nice if we could get in there and score in the beginning and let the other team know exactly where they stand and where we stand. We want to put them in their place right away.”

In their game last weekend against the Wisconsin College All-Stars, the Panthers didn’t score until right before halftime.

Graziano said there were opportunities early in the game but Eastern didn’t capitalize, and that is one reason the Panthers struggled to a 12-10 win on Saturday.

Graziano said scoring early makes the team confident in the game plan they have built.

“And if they are confident in the plans, they are going to execute them the way they need to and the rest is all going to fall into place,” Graziano said.

Another thing the Panthers want to see improved for the game against Iowa State is their fitness level and basic mechanical aspects of each position.

“With all the new people and people in different positions we are trying to focus now on going back to the basics,” senior wing Samantha Manto said. “Clearing our minds, and as coach says kind of going back to being robotic. Getting the basics done and done right.”

Manto said with all the newcomers playing their first game last weekend, the Panthers did as well as could have been expected but expectations are higher against the Cyclones.

With Saturday being Iowa State’s first game, the Panthers are hoping to have somewhat of an advantage.

“They haven’t played a game yet, so I am hoping for some disorganization,” Graziano said. “Just like we went through last week, they should go through some of that this week – working the kinks all out and making adjustments. That could be a plus for us.”

The Panthers have not played Iowa State since 2003, and while the Panthers beat them 73-0, Graziano said this year is different.

“We are a different team and they are a different team,” Graziano said. “I am not sure what to expect from them.”

After having 100 to 125 fans at the away game last weekend, the Panthers are expecting to have huge fan support for their first home game.

“We anticipate a very nice crowd and playing at home in front of lots of fans is always fun,” Graziano said. “Even though football is on the road up at Illinois and a lot of people may be going that way, I think we will still draw a good size crowd.”

Manto said being at home and having a bunch of fan support should help the Panthers go out and get points on the board early.

“We need to go out with a lot of excitement and energy, and being on our own field that should be easier to do,” Manto said. “The new people hopefully got a lot of their nerves out last weekend, and we all come out ready to go.”

Brandy Provaznik can be reached at 581-7944 or at blprovaznik@eiu.edu.

Women’s rugby coach Frank Graziano demonstrates a move during practice on Aug. 27. The Panthers will play Iowa State on Saturday. (Karolina Strack/The Daily Eastern News)

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