WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Head Coach
Tony DeRemer and the West Chester University women's rugby team are finalizing their preparations for a new season set to begin on Saturday afternoon at the United States Naval Academy beginning at 12 p.m.
KICKING OFF
West Chester enters the 2023 season following a 2022 campaign which saw the team advance to at least the semifinal round of the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Tournament for the third year in a row dating back to the 2019 season.
Flock Talk
While the Golden Rams did graduate their leading scorer in
Heather Spangler, who scored seven trys a year ago they do return a number of key players, including
Sara McNicholas (Stony Point, N.Y./Albertus Magnus), Taylor Baldwin (Joppa, Md./Perry Hall Christian), and Brooke Crago (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area). McNicholas took the lead on conversions for West Chester a year ago, successfully hitting 10 along with a penalty kick to finish the season with 23 points, ranking second on the team in scoring. Baldwin ranked in a tie for third on the team in scoring with three trys last fall, while Crago will look to build upon an outstanding Spring 7's season.
In 7's action last Spring, Crago,
Ty Hickey (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton), and Emily Almoney (Delta, Pa./Kennard Dale) showed themselves as strong offensive threats for the Golden Rams, combing to score 135 points with Crago leading the way with 13 trys and five conversions for 75 points. Hickey scored five trys and had five successful conversions for 35 points, while Almoney chipped in five trys as well to help lead the West Chester offense throughout the Spring season.
In addition to its strong group of returners, West Chester also welcomes a number of talented newcomers, including
Emma Davies (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett), Keeley Fugazzi (Dublin, Oh./Dublin Coffman), Vivian Funkhouser (Moon, Pa./Moon), Natasha Gonzalez (Brooklyn, N.Y./East Side Community), Cameron Morrongiello (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata), Laura Smego (Greenwich, Ct./Greenwich), Camryn Snow (Exton, Pa./East), and Tori Tanase (Trumbull, Ct./Trumbull).
THE ROAD AHEAD
West Chester kicks off its season with a three-game road swing, which will see the team visit Navy on Saturday afternoon, Davenport on Saturday, September 16, and Frostburg State on Saturday, September 23. West Chester opens its home slate on Saturday, October 7 vs New Haven before playing American International at home on October 14, and Lander on October 21. The Golden Rams will take to the road for their regular-season finale at Penn State on Saturday, November 4 beginning at 4 p.m.
