Column: Perfect season on horizon
Eastern is 5-0 for the third time in
the last four years and a perfect season is beginning to fall in
line. The Panthers are coming off of another win, but the matter
they recorded the win leaves me with some questions as they enter
the second half of their schedule.
The Panthers put together a lackluster first half performance that
resembled their performance against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Panthers flat first half had them in an unfamiliar position,
and left Head Coach Frank Graziano questioning his team’s heart and
commitment. Luckily, the Panthers responded with 36 unanswered
points after giving up the lead early in the second half. Although
the Panthers did put together an impressive second half, the
inconsistent play and cold starts has me wondering if this team
really has what it takes to go undefeated.
The Panthers are also a very young and inexperienced team. The
Panthers remain undefeated and have been tested on the road, but
the general rugby play continues to be a problem. The Panthers gave
credit to last weekend’s game as being an eye opening performance.
They feel as if the younger players are beginning to grasp the full
concept of rugby, and their chemistry and confidence is soaring to
new heights.
It remains to be seen if everything has come together, but if it
does, the perfect season is definitely in reach.
The Panthers remaining opponents: Quinnipiac, Northern Iowa, Iowa
State and Purdue have had limited success against the Panthers over
the years. These four teams have been dominated and have never come
out with a victory over Eastern.
The Panthers have bullied these teams and seemingly will continue
to do so this season. The only team the Panthers did not face in
previous seasons was Quinnipiac. The Bobcats are newcomers to NCAA
Division-I women’s rugby and are enduring the growing pains of
being a new program. The Panthers got the best of the Bobcats in
their first of three meetings back on Sept. 18. The Panthers have
outscored their remaining opponents 188-5 in their previous
meetings.
Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-7942 or
