The Oberlin Women’s Rugby Club is on the rise. The Rhino Ruggers have achieved great success this year with a strong spring season built off their extraordinary fall campaign. Their season came to a close as they competed in the Teapot Dome Scandal tournament at Ohio State University in Marion on Saturday, April 22.

There were 30 clubs in the tournament, 15 of which were women’s clubs. Oberlin faced off against the Wright State University Raiders in their first match of the tournament. The Rhino Ruggers were particularly pumped up, having been defeated by the Raiders two weeks earlier.

In the first half, the Rhino Ruggers went to work, gaining an early advantage with five tries. Senior Hannah Rechtschaffen scored a hat trick in the first half with three tries. The Rhino Ruggers went on to hold their lead in the second half and gain an impressive victory against a Division II opponent.

In their second match, Oberlin faced Cleveland Women’s Iron Maidens. The Iron Maidens, an adult team, were too much for the Rhino Ruggers to handle as they were out-scrummed early and never able to recover. However, Oberlin was able to put a solid drive together in the last few minutes using flawless moves and efficient teamwork. The positive late play was capped off with an Oberlin try, as the Rhino Ruggers ended their season feeling good. Nevertheless, the tournament was single round elimination, and the Rhino Ruggers’ loss cost them a trip to the semifinals and knocked them out of the tournament.

Despite finishing the season with a loss, the Rhino Ruggers felt they had accomplished a lot this semester. Without a coach or full access to Oberlin’s athletic facilities, the team has remained competitive and well organized, holding practices three days a week and eating weekly dinners together. The team accomplished a lot this year, which included nearly defeating the University of Wisconsin (a Division I club) and putting together an extremely successful team calendar, which sold 1000 copies both at home and internationally.

The Rhino Ruggers also gained 15 new players this year, and every single one of them was able to participate in tournament play. Most of the rookies had never stepped onto a pitch before this season, and they expressed appreciation for the experience and the way the team is run here at Oberlin.

“We have lots of fun, and we’re really just one big family: That’s what I like about being on the team,” said first-year Natasha Davis.

The Rhino Ruggers have established a name for themselves as a fun, free-spirited group, but also as a team that cannot be taken lightly on the field.

“When we go to tournaments, the other players go, ‘Oh, Oberlin, yeah, we know you.’ We have gained a name internationally as well,” said junior co-captain Alia Kate.

As their popularity and success grows, many wonder about the possibility for Varsity women’s rugby at Oberlin.

“No way. We would never do it,” said Kate. “The way it is now, we control our team, and we have so much freedom to do things our way. If the administration got involved, we would lose that spirit.”

The Rhino Ruggers now carry on a tradition of rugby at Oberlin thanks to efforts by alumni who led the way. Looking forward, the team will be playing against some of those very special alumni in three weeks in the Second Annual Alumni rugby game on Saturday, May 27, during commencement weekend.