EPPING, N.H. - The Beantown Tournament is among the largest collegiate women's rugby tournaments in the country. This year's tournament, held in Epping, N.H., included 26 teams spread across three divisions. For many teams, the preseason tournament is viewed as a proving ground for young players and a developmental opportunity for the entire squad.

Over the past four years, the Norwich women's rugby team has viewed the tournament in this light and has sought to play every player who gets on the bus to travel with the team. This year was no exception.  Both veterans and rookies played equal time and 31 Norwich women played rugby over the weekend.

Match 1: Norwich 27 - Connecticut 0

The Cadets opened the tournament by overpowering a fast Connecticut side. The forward pack controlled the ball for most of the match and set up opportunities across the pitch. Senior prop Coral Lore (Orlando, FL) led all scorers with 2 tries. Additional tries were scored by senior #8 Berline Marcelin (Miami, Fla.), junior wing Ashley de Grasse (Colchester, Vt.) and freshman scrumhalf Maria Lorentzon (Shrewsbury, Vt.), who scored her first try in a maroon and gold jersey. Senior fullback Sybil Taunton (Brentwood, Calif.) added 1 conversion to finalize the score at 27-0.

Match 2: Norwich (Mixed Side) 7 - Wellesley 0

Starting a primarily rookie team, the Cadets played a back and forth battle with a hard hitting Wellesley side. Junior #8 Mindy McDougal (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored the lone try of the match on a hard fought crash through the middle of the defense.  Freshman flyhalf Elise Fournier (West Caldwell, N.J.) earned her first collegiate points by successfully kicking the conversion.    

Match 3: Norwich 42 - Southern Connecticut 0

The sun came out Sunday morning and with it came an onslaught of Norwich attack. The forward pack ripped through the Southern Connecticut defense over and over again, producing exceptional ball for the speedy backline. Sybil Taunton scored 2 tries for the Wick, while Ashley de Grasse, Coral Lore, sophomore wing Clarissa Wynn (New London, Conn.), senior flanker Charmaine Morris (Detroit, Mich.), senior hooker Aurelina Perez (San Francisco de Macoris, Dom. Rep.) and junior center Ashley Lally (Sparta, N.J.) added one apiece. Senior flyhalf Cassie Thompson (Blackstone, Mass.) added one conversion.

Championship Match: Norwich (Mixed Side) 15 - Bowdoin (Mixed Side) 15

The Championship match was to be played between rival sides Norwich and Bowdoin, however, both teams agreed to treat the final as a developmental match for rookies. Norwich loaned 4 players to Bowdoin, including 2006-2007 leading scorer Sybil Taunton.

Berline Marcelin opened scoring for the young Norwich side which started 6 rookies out of 8 in the forward pack.  Bowdoin got on the board when loaned Norwich freshman Unna Lee (San Antonio, Texas) scored for the Polar Bears, much to the cheer of her Norwich teammates. Bowdoin continued to pressure for the majority of the first half, but the Norwich defense held strong on the goal line. Freshman hooker Emily Staats (Albany, N.Y.) played exceptionally well in defense of the try zone. Bowdoin did manage to add two more tries before half time, putting Norwich behind on the scoreboard 5-15.

The second half saw the game open up into more of a back oriented match. Clarissa Wynn scored in the corner to reduce the Polar Bear's lead to 5. Ashley Lally scored late in the match to tie and finalize the game at 15-15. This try marked Ashley's 100th point for the Cadets.

Coach's Comments: "I couldn't be more proud of the team this weekend," said Norwich head coach Austin Hall. "We played smart, enjoyable rugby and we got so many kids involved. Everyone who travelled with us came out of the weekend better than they were before. We honored the spirit of the tournament and we were professional on and off the field. This year's rookie class is working so hard to make the team and is putting superb pressure on the upper-classmen to perform at the highest level. We have a great amount of gratitude for the Beantown Women's Rugby Club for hosting, for the New England Rugby Referee Society for providing quality officiating, and for the teams who gave us the opportunity to play." 

The women finish their non-league season with a record of 5-0, and begin league play against Amherst College, in Amherst, Mass., on Sept. 22. Their next home match is Parents' Weekend, September 29, against 2006 national runner-up, Plymouth State College.