• 2008
  • February 24, 2008
  • February 16, 2008
  • February 11, 2008*
  • January 19, 2008
• 2007
  • March 04, 2007
  • March 04, 2007*
  • February 24, 2007
  • February 24, 2007*
  • January 28, 2007*
  • January 27, 2007
• 2006
  • February 04, 2006
  • January 15, 2006
  • January 15, 2006*
• 2005
  • April 09, 2005
  • February 19, 2005
  • February 14, 2005
  • January 30, 2005
  • January 22, 2005
  • January 15, 2005

UCLA vs. CC — February 19, 2005

This past weekend UCLA came up against its biggest rival of the season due to both teams being in position to go to nationals. UCLA, in its inaugural year, has put up impressive numbers in order to be in this position. Claremont, the Southern California Division 2 Champion for the last two years, has been concerned that their berth for the 2005 National seed is being threatened.

From the beginning whistle to the end, both teams played with tremendous heart. Both teams had even control of the ball throughout the game.

Early on, UCLA capitalized on a penalty play to see Erin Murray (C), go in for a try. UCLA 5 — CC 0. CC came back quickly when UCLA made some ball-handling errors. UCLA 5 — CC 7.

Numerous high tackles and hair-pulling on our fullback were not called, but UCLA didn't lose its cool. They played as a team and never let the frustration take them from their game. Back in their red zone, UCLA got caught near the rucking while CC ran to the outside for a score. With a missed conversion CC went up, UCLA 5 — CC 12. Soon after, UCLA again capitalized on a penalty play in front of their own try zone, and watched Diana Tran make a few moves around a number of Claremont girls to score. Kelly Griffin made a remarkable wide-angle conversion. UCLA 12 — CC 12.

Second Half

UCLA's tremendous improvement with rucking over and through the ball kept them in the game. After halftime both teams came out roaring. Claremont was first to score, for their last time, near the middle of the second half with a missed conversion. UCLA 12 — CC 19.

There were no soft voices either on the pitch or the sidelines for the rest of the match. In UCLA style, they played to the end, sending Michelle Kwandam in as a powerful forward to score the last try of the game. Kick was not converted. UCLA 17 — CC 19. But wait! Due to the unsportsmanlike conduct of the Claremont team the referee allowed Griffin to kick again (penalty kick). There's nothing like a little "game-is-up-to-you" pressure to put on a kicker. Kick made. UCLA 19 — CC 19. Game over.

Forwards and backs did an outstanding job with rucking. The backs, as usual, had tremendous tackling and impressive crashes by Ong, Hurley, and Cho. The loosies, led by Griffin and Chase, were all over the pitch with impressive speed and heart. Way to go, girls!

Starting Lineup

1. Yoyo Negrete
2. Ivette Castillo
3. Saerim Luciano
4. Michelle Kwandam
5. Natalie Hall
6. Jennifer Chase
7. Kelly Griffin
8. Erin Murray (C)
9. Diana Tran
10. Shu Ong
11. Amy Christensen
12. Laura Hurley
13. Aerin Cho
14. Camilla Liou
15. Marisa "Middy" Pineda

Substitutions

1. Mo Fitzgerald (to flanker)
2. Skye Thompson
3. Mary (to wing)

The next and last two matches, will determine the outcome of the season of UCLA WRFC. On March 5th the women travel to Arizona to play U of A in Tucson, while the Claremont game is still being rescheduled.