The University of Oregon is the DI Pacific Mountain Rugby Conference (PMRC) North champion and will head to Stanford University on April 4-5 for the conference championship and seeds to DI spring regionals. The Ducks will join three PMRC West teams at the league playoffs – which has added a Tier II to its offerings – and returns to Palo Alto, Calif., after a three-year hiatus.
“I knew we had potential for [a good season],” said Greg Farrell, who is celebrating his 20th year as Oregon’s head coach. “We had a lot of veteran people coming back but also had holes we needed to fill. I put a lot of veteran people in places where we needed help and they all adjusted really well. … I’m glad that they followed through with their potential.”
Many veterans have 3-4 years playing together and so the chemistry was there; the group just needed an adjustment period as newcomers worked into the lineup and the team’s game shifted slightly. The back line in particular worked many moving parts. Senior Chelsey Lindsey, for example, spent the previous three years in the front row and then was moved into the centers this season.
“She’s tearing it up and loving it. She’s a prop but she runs on a rail and is deceptively quick,” Farrell said. “Our game has opened up more, because what we want to do [on attack] is create gaps, and when she gets moving, more than one person is needed to take her down. She’s a very good tackler, too, and brings that veteran security to the back line.”
The team welcomed a pair of transfers who have made an immediate impact in the outside attack. Former Oregon State fullback Talulah Beisel continues to suit up at #15 and scored eight tries in six games this season. And former University of Washington flyhalf Alexandra Fletcher has spent the 2020 portion of the season at outside center, as Sophia Muhle Bruce has been a solid standoff for the Ducks. And then back-three Jesse Mendel joined the team this year from Israel and currently leads the league on points scored with 55 on nine tries and five conversions.
There is some special leadership in the forwards, namely No. 8 Harriet Dilly, the pack captain, “who is as solid as they come,” per Farrell. Along with tight-five all-star and former All-American Mililani Leui, this duo leads the way. Equally impressive is scrumhalf Vanessa Hufnagel, who is “small but loud and gets a lot of respect on the field,” the coach added. “All of them are example-setters.
“Especially this group of seniors, they take it seriously but make sure everyone is having fun but not goofing around,” Farrell said. “They’ve built a good culture the last 4-5 years and word has gotten out.”
And the numbers have followed. In spring 2017 – the last time Oregon featured in the PMRC playoffs – the Ducks traveled 21 players for a double-header weekend. The numbers dropped to 18 the subsequent year, but then started rebuilding during the 2018-19 season. Today, there are more than 50 players CIPPed, and it’s made all the difference on the pitch.
“It’s insane. When we traveled to Washington, we had 41 girls, and Washington had 36,” Farrell enthused and reference the above photo. “Numbers helps solve everything and makes everyone better because there’s constant competition for positions. We used to end practice with 20-30 minutes of unopposed … but now they’re able to scrimmage each other.”
The season started in November and Oregon went 2-1-1, dropping its opener to Western Washington 31-27, defeating Oregon State and Washington State, and then tying OSU in the rematch.
“It took a little tinkering to get people into the right positions but now everyone feels confident when they take the field,” Farrell said. “They know what’s going to happen and how everyone will play and how to be there for each other, especially defensively. That’s been a big thing for us: Be a solid defensive team. And they did well the last two games with shutouts.”
Oregon took stock of its weaknesses and went to work during the winter break. Bountiful numbers also allowed Farrell to tailor the lineup to the opponent.
“We evaluate every game,” the coach said. “If they’re more forward heavy, then we’ll field a heavier pack. If we’re playing on grass instead of AstroTurf, then we’ll field a faster back line that will hopefully beat them.”
Like the first half of the season, all of Oregon’s game were condensed into one month, and 2020 began with a double-header weekend against Western Washington and Washington. The Ducks returned home with two wins and followed with the shutouts against Washington State and the Vikings.
“They want to keep the flow going. They give nothing less than 80 minutes or what I ask of them, but they’re also very honest about whether they’re 100%,” Farrell said. “Since we have subs now, if you stay on longer than you should, then you’re hurting the other 14 players on the field. They’ve matured enough that they let me know if they need to come off, and they do it for the benefit of the team.”
Oregon played its final league game on Feb. 22, and the conference playoffs begin April 4. Getting healthy is a prime focus, and Farrell is hoping to schedule friendlies against Eugene women and OSU to keep the players sharp. When the team does head to Palo Alto, they’ll do so on Thursday, building in a day of rest and an opportunity to connect with the families of several Bay Area-based players who are offering support, meals and billeting.
For the seniors, returning to the PMRC championships is a special opportunity to bring their collegiate rugby careers full circle. The last time they were in Stanford, they were freshmen and just learning. Today, they drive the team, and Farrell confirmed that returning to the league playoffs has been oft-mentioned goal. The team’s focusing on that next game so stay tuned as the PMRC West won’t wrap up until March 14.
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