Yale Women's Spring 2013 Season

Yale’s spring season showed a lot of strong play by veterans as well as potential and enthusiasm from rookies, but a string of injuries early in the season created difficulties.

Due to the injuries, many members of the team tried new positions as they filled in for teammates. Everyone on the team tried at least one new position, with some, like Ericka Saracho ‘14, Claire Kelley ’13, Sarah Kelley ’13, and Kat Culthane ’15 playing both forward and back positions. Playing new positions gave everyone on the team a chance to see the game from a different angle and improve their knowledge of the sport. While trying a new position was often challenging, the knowledge and flexibility gained will benefit the players and the team in the future.

Highlights include Eshe Sherley ’16 continuing to improve from a strong rookie season in the fall and scoring a hard-fought try during a tough loss against Vassar. Similarly, in the match against Wheaton, which ended with a loss, Amanda Hall ‘14, a prop and one of next year’s captains, fought through their defense and scored an impressive try, her first.

The regular season concluded with an exciting game against Southern Connecticut State University, which ended in a loss 15-20. This close game caused no ill-feeling between the two teams, and the week after the teams played together to fill in gaps at the Beast of the East Tournament. Forming a team with players who had only played against each other before helped the team focus on fundamentals and work on improving communication on the field. 

It was a building season for the Yale women, but, with people coming back from injury, only graduating two active seniors, and the talented rookies becoming more experienced with the game, next fall looks like a promising season for the team. 

-Written by Katie Chockley '14