Next fall UMass Men move to the White League and the stiffer competition of UConn, Dartmouth, Army, and Norwich. In the Spring of 1996, the UMass women defeated the Finalist in the National Champiopnships, Penn State, and showed that they had arrived. In this Spring of 1999 after having placed second among the college women's clubs in the Northeast, UMass Women played in the Sweet Sixteen of the National Championships defeating New Mexico State University before droping a match to eventual national finalist Princeton University. Last fall 1999, The UMass women won a second consecutive trip to the Swete Sixteen as they swept to The Northeast Championship. In the Sweet 16, they dropped a physical match to Eastern Illinois before swamping Clemson in the consolation round.
Practices are underway and everyone is pleased to greet new faces.
Come join us. The first step as a new spectator is to understand the fundamental differences between rugby and american football. In rugby, all players are allowed to handle the ball, but the ball cannot be passed forward. The ball can, on occasion be kicked forward in an attempt to gain better field position or to catch the other team unaware. Also, in direct contrast to american football, players do not wear any protective padding and there is no blocking in rugby.