Panthers retake field in Kansas

Just like all of Eastern’s teams, the women’s rugby game was canceled this past weekend in a decision made by Interim President Lou Hecken and Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie.

A make-up date for the game against Illinois State has been tentatively set for Nov. 10th.

On the decision to postpone the game, head coach Frank Graziano said, “It’s a great gesture out of respect for what our country is going though.”

“Now [after the break] we will be able to enjoy playing, but it will still be difficult,” Graziano said. “It will still be in the backs of our minds.”

So as the women suit up and buckle down for this week’s road game against the rugby club from Kansas University, they are finally getting back to game shape.

“We seemed a little clumsy last week and earlier this week, but in the last few days we have really gotten it back together,” Graziano said.

The team will be without inside center Mary Archer this weekend.

She injured her back and will not be able to play this week, but should be ready for next week’s game against the University of Illinois.

Graziano said it seems the team is trading old injuries for new ones as the players that were injured early in the season are fine now, but athletes that were healthy in the beginning of the season are developing injuries and illnesses.

“These are freak accidents,” Graziano said of the injuries. “But we will not change our game plan.”