2008 EIU Rugby Yearbook
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The 2008 edition of the Eastern Illinois women's rugby yearbook is now available for viewing and ordering via the Panther website (EIUpanthers.com).
Click on the link above to view the guide in PDF format, which is broken up into various sections and includes the covers and 20 guide pages.
The Panthers recently finished the 2008 season with a perfect 10-0 record, the second time in EIU rugby program history that a Panther squad went undefeated.
Highlights from the historic 2008 season include:
The road opening win versus a Wisconsin All-Star squad didn't come easy, as the Panthers trailed 5-10 with just two minutes remaining. The team struggled all day to find any rhythm, both offensively and defensively. However, when Crystal Jones returned to the game, after having sustained a minor injury earlier in the contest, she was able to provide a spark and scored on a hustle play upon stealing the ball from Wisconsin and out-running the defense 40-yards to tie the game. The pressure was now on newcomer Coartney McKinney for the winning conversion. Her kick was straight through the middle to begin the journey of the historic season.
Iowa State traveled to Charleston for the home opener and challenged the Panthers throughout the game. While the Panthers never trailed, the Cyclones kept the score close, but EIU pulled out the 26-21 victory.
Wisconsin-Stevens Point was the preceding contest before the “Game Two” rematch with West Chester. With renewed enthusiasm and focus, Stevens Point was on the short end of Panther Rugby at its best. A 102-0 victory showed the home crowd talent, speed, smothering defense, and the confidence ready to take “Game Two” from West Chester.
The rugby faithful traveling to Pennsylvania witnessed one of the best halves in Panther Rugby history as they dominated West Chester in all aspects of the game on their way to a commanding 31-0 halftime lead. The game was never in doubt and the players celebrated their 38-5 triumph with the Gatorade bucket over coach's head.
The team used the energy from the past two victories to focus once again in practice and use the upcoming Ball State game to prepare for Colorado, the most difficult team on the schedule. The team scored often and from every position on the field. Samantha Manto and Jones ran in six apiece from perfect assists by Amanda Fromm and Molly Clutter entertaining the home crowd with a 112-3 domination.
The Colorado performance was the highlight of the season, as on that given day, the Panthers were simply unbeatable and their 86-0 victory will go down in Panther Rugby history as one of their greatest performances. The defense, led by Chase Cain, Stephanie Militello and Clutter showed no weaknesses, created numerous turnovers and held Colorado to no field position advantage and very limited possessions. Thirteen trys, scored by seven different players from all over the field, left no doubt that the Panther offense was simply brilliant all day. McKinney's goal kicking was one of the best in our ten year history.
The Colorado victory set the tone for the remainder of the season. The team could sense it had a chance to make history and reach its goal of an unblemished season. The defense worked harder and harder each practice, the offense practiced their plays and rhythm until it was perfect, and the team faced every challenge placed upon them. The emotions of senior day, performing for the home crowd for the last time in 2008, saw the Panthers shut out the Jayhawks of Kansas, 52-0, bringing their record to 7-0. Purdue became the eighth victory, the third shut out in a row and the third point total of the season to reach the century mark, 100-0.
The final road trip to South Carolina saw blue skies, warm weather and two night games against ACC competition. The Tigers of Clemson and the Tar Heels of North Carolina were no match for the Panthers. Both games were shutouts, 63-0 and 43-0 respectively, ending the season with five consecutive shutouts.
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID
