There are many different possibilities as to why the Panthers suddenly flipped the switch on their season, but regardless of the cause, they are back to Eastern women’s rugby. Some of the reasons may dictate how the rest of their season plays out.

After beginning the season with a goose egg in the wins column, the Panthers put a beat down on Lindenwood last Thursday. The victory featured dominant performances by sophomore center Nia Williams and sophomore lock Kim Youhas. Williams chalked three trys to put her season total at six, four ahead of Madison Kissner. Youhas, a breakthrough player this season, recorded seven tackles and converted four two-point conversions in a complete showing on the pitch.

Williams and Youhas look similar to the Lauren Doyle and Stefanie Mahan duo last year that led to an undefeated season.

Although Mahan did not kick conversions, she led the team in tackles as Kim Youhas is this season. Doyle was the leading scorer on the offensive side of the ball; Williams leads the team in points and trys. The numbers are not the statistics Doyle and Mahan bestowed last year, but the concept remains the same.

Along with sophomore fly-half Carissa Burge emerging as a leader, the central talent on the rugby team appears to be with the underclassmen. What does this mean for the future? It means that the Panthers have only begun a new era of dominance, starting with the second half of this season.

Eastern has dominated competitors since its inception in 1998, posting a 120-22 record overall, and a 95-9 record as an NCAA squad. Their prowess reached a peak in 2002 when the average margin of victory was 62-1, because of shutting out every team except one.

With the victory last week the team seems to be back on track and ready to face Western Kentucky. The Panthers speed and strength will be too much for the Big Red.

Nicholas Ruffolo can be reached at 581-2812 or nfruffolo@eiu.edu.