The women's rugby team will travel to the Cumberland Fairgounds this weekend to compete in the Maine Collegiate Rugby Tournament.
"This tournament is important because there are selectors at the game who will select the 15-person All-Maine team," said coach Marybeth Mathews.
The All-Maine team will be invited to try out for the New England North select team along with women from New Hampshire and Vermont. That team plays against other New England Regional teams and a team is then selected from that tournament to compete on the national level.
"We have several players who will be up for consideration for the All-Maine team," said captain Becky Stevens. "Briefly, Uche Esonu '13, Allie Dupont '12 and Kerry Townsend '13 will definitely be considered."
The women's tournament is comprised of five teams: Bowdoin, Colby, Bates, U-Maine Orono and U-Maine Farmington. The Polar Bears will play against Farmington in the morning and Bates in the afternoon. Each team in the tournament plays two games and the winner is decided on a points system.
The Polar Bears traveled to Merrimack College last Friday evening for a cold, dark and muddy game. The team only traveled with 12 players and was able to borrow players from the other team as is customary, although usually Bowdoin is the team lending players out.
"I was very proud of our team's effort on Friday," said Stevens. "We were short players and given the circumstances, we played extraordinarily well."
The Polar Bears scored their first try in the first half when Helen White '13 fed the ball back in to Paulina Rodis '14 on the weak side. Rodis was supported well by Sara Davenport '13 but did not need it as she was able to break a few tackles and outrun the cover defense to score. Stevens successfully converted the try.
"Merrimac was big and they ran with the ball," said Mathews, "but the game had a pleasant temperament and was reffed well. We only ever came up short because of lack of support although there were some great individual efforts."
"We definitely learned from the previous game in regards to penalties," said Dupont.
The Polar Bears scored again in the second half when Townsend worked her way outside after a forwards penalty play.
"She has really quick feet and is able to side step without losing speed," said Mathews, "She went through what looked like a zoo and sprinted about 40 meters to touch it down."
Stevens converted the try. The Polar Bears played well but ultimately came up short and Merrimack won 27-14.
"Spring rugby is all about gaining experience and everyone who played gained experience," said Mathews. "Despite the cold, the handling from the backs was good and there was some nice footwork and nice runs."
The team will look to come out strong in the tournament this weekend against Farmington and Bates and improve on some skills.
"We actually haven't played either team in two years," said Stevens. "So I think that both games will be a surprise. I feel like the games could go either way, but regardless it will be a fun tournament."