The CWU women’s rugby team played their first game of the year last Saturday, falling to BYU 20-17. 

Going into the game against BYU senior Lauren Odette said the team enjoys playing against them due to how evenly matched the two teams are. 

“We love playing BYU,” Odette said. “They are always great competition for us as we are starting out in the year.” 

While talking after the game, Odette said the team had an uphill battle to climb to beat BYU. She mentioned while there were highlights during the game, the team can always improve. 

“We had some phenomenal plays, (Senior scrum half) Maryjane Pasiloes [had an] incredible kick and (Sophomore fullback) Sammy Stern got to score a corner,” Odette said.  “(Our) first game back gave us a lot of clarity, as we prepare for Lindenwood.” 

Odette said while some of the girls don’t like traveling to other colleges to play, she thinks it helps her separate her college life with her sports life. 

“I personally love traveling, I know some of the other girls don’t,” Odette said. “(Traveling) helps separate (me) from life, and now its just rugby” 

With 15 new players on the team Odette said chemistry is a little bit tricky, but they are trying their best to make everyone feel welcomed. 

“It’s been great learning and meeting everyone, with COVID  it’s been a little harder … they have been so isolated and we’ve had time to be around eachother,” Odette said. “It’s been a little hard for our freshman to integrate.”

The rugby team’s next game will be on Oct. 30 when they hit the road to take on Lindenwood University.