Editor’s Note: This is the first in a weekly series following the exploits of the University of Oregon Club Sports program. A new sport will be featured every Tuesday, so be sure to check this space.
After winning the Northwest league title and advancing to the final 16 of nationals in Orlando, Fla., last year, the women’s rugby team could be content to relish in last year’s success.
Could be.
Gone are a handful of seniors that helped guide the team to an undefeated Pacific Northwest League record, including second-team All-American Jamie Hampton. A tough loss? Maybe, but the return of first-team All-American fly-half Erica Kelly nullifies some of the loss in personnel.
“We have a lot of new people returning that did quite well last year,” third-year head coach Greg Farrell said. “We always have people that come in and contribute, so to judge where we are is always hard to do.”
Even with the loss of key players, the Ducks are confident in their chances for 2002.
“We played well as underdogs, but it’s hard to be on top,” Kelly said. “Everyone will be gunning for us.”
Defending the league title won’t be easy for the Ducks, especially with a late start to the season.

“We play Humboldt State Oct. 12, and with school just starting for us, Humboldt will have had several weeks of practice to prepare,” Farrell said.
The power in rugby has shifted to the west, and it will be important for Oregon to get off to a running start against its left-coast foes. West Coast power Chico State won the 2000 national title, so playing and gaining experience from tough West Coast matches helps ensure a team is battle-tested.
“We are looking to have as many non-league games as possible,” Farrell said. “We want to see what teams outside of our division are like. We can take this opportunity to see how we measure up. We hope to play Stanford, but nothing is finalized.”
Six teams make up the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union, including Central Washington, Oregon State, Reed College, Washington State, Western Washington and the Ducks.
“Personally, (playing) Oregon State is important because it’s always a tough game, and my little sister will be playing there,” Kelly said. “Reed College will also be tough — they play dirty.
“Every year we lose girls that are irreplaceable. We never know how it will go, but every year the girls do amazing. We always want new girls to come out and play. No experience is necessary.”
So exactly how will the 2002 season end up?
“We might have the upper hand this year,” Farrell said. “The talent in the league is evening out. We are not going to look anyone over. Teams did not think a lot of us last year, and now they know we have a returning All-American and are returning (league) champions. We have a chance of repeating. We are in great shape due to (new conditioning coach) Manase Latu. He is a tremendous asset to our team, and without him I’m not sure where we would be.”
How does an All-American
improve?
“I can be a better team leader and read the field better,” Kelly said. “I need to learn the game better. I don’t think I deserved the (All-American) honor. A lot of girls on this team deserved the award as well, and they were overlooked.”
Overlooked? As a team, it doesn’t seem like Oregon will have that problem this season.