The women’s rugby team won their last two games against Penn State University and the U.S. Naval Academy. The team won at Penn State 63-12, and at Navy 69-8.

CWU started the season with a loss, but has won the last three games. Kai Brandt-Templeton, junior flyhalf, said the rugby team had a tough last season. Changes in the coaching staff, an entirely new team and several canceled games made last year difficult.

“Teamwork feels like unity, people working together,” Brandt-Templeton said. “A big thing with team bonding is trust and if you can’t trust people, how are you supposed to play together? So our team bonding has helped a lot with that. Learning how everyone plays, and how you can joke with each other helps to gel the team.”

Brandt-Templeton said the team is very encouraging at practice. 

“We’re not tearing people down, we’re always bringing people up,” Brandt-Templeton said. “It’s easy to stay motivated when you have a group of motivated people. It’s hard to not be happy when you’re in a group of happy people.”

Grayce O’Farrell, sophomore lock, had a similar outlook about team bonding.

“Team bonding really helps to build that confidence,” O’Farrell said. “Even if you do have a bad practice, you are still on the team and your team sister wants to be there with you and put in the hard work to bond.”

Leah Ingold, assistant coach, said she has different motivational strategies she uses for the team. 

“Individually, the women all have their own styles of motivation that they need,” Ingold said. “That’s why it’s super important that the head coach Matt Ramirez and I are able to read our athletes and understand them as well. Our huge focus is making sure that the players are able to motivate each other. We focus on their abilities to uplift each other on the field.”

Ingold said she feels rewarded when she sees the team bonding and supporting one another. 

“I get goosebumps,” Ingold said. “It’s just that feeling you get where there are no words for it. It’s insurmountable greatness that you feel the team emitting.” 

The next Women’s Rugby game is Oct. 22. against Lindenwood. The remainder of the season games will be in Ellensburg at Tomlinson Stadium.