After delivering a beating to Southern Oregon last weekend, 80-0, the Oregon women’s rugby team goes against Central Washington with confidence on its side.
The women started off strong at 1-0 in the winter season. With a young roster resulting from the loss of six seniors from last year, the Ducks had some challenges early, although they showed improvement and finished the fall season at 1-2.
“We started out rocky but have cleaned it up and pulled it together,” senior Shelby Frail said. “I feel very confident in our team now.”
“The team is looking really good this year,” coach Greg Farrell said. “Talent-wise, they are exceptional.”
Central Washington finished last year third in the rankings, and Oregon came in just ahead in second place, so the Ducks believe they are evenly matched with the Wildcats. In last year’s meeting between the two teams, the Ducks were victorious.
The women have practiced hard this week in preparation for the game, including partial contact practices with the men’s Eugene Rugby Club. The two teams will face off on Southbank Field at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
“If everyone steps up like last weekend, it should be a good game,” Farrell said. “We look to do really well.”
Men’s rugby
The Oregon men’s rugby team is a bubble team for the NCAA tournament. If it wins this weekend, it still has a shot at nationals, but if it loses, it will have to wait on UC-Davis until next year.
But because of losses sustained earlier in the season, the Ducks will need to put Central Washington away by at least 19 points when the two teams clash at 1 p.m. Saturday at Southbank Field in Eugene. Oregon head coach Bob Snyder doesn’t see covering the 19-point spread as much of a problem.
“We will have no trouble covering the 19 points,” Snyder said. “We can put these guys away by 50 or 60.”
The Ducks are currently 2-2 and are coming off a strong 47-6 win against Washington last weekend, which leaves them feeling confident about a win.
If they can overcome Central Washington and find a way to defeat Oregon State the following weekend, they will advance to the 32-team national tournament at UC-Davis.
“We are just taking it one game at a time right now,” Snyder said.
