Pregame Release (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Eastern Illinois women's rugby squad will take their program-high 16-game winning streak to Ball State on Saturday, as the Panthers open the 2009 at noon.  Last season, EIU blasted the Cardinals, 112-3 at home.

? In last year's win over Ball State, the squad set four season-highs, first in total trys (18), assists (14), points (112), and runs-over-20-yards (13). The 112 points was just a dozen away from the record of 124.

? Since 2002, when EIU joined the NCAA ranks, the Panthers have only lost to six opponents -- 35-5 to Penn State in 2003; 15-7 to Ohio State in 2004; 29-10 at Virginia in 2005; 27-12 vs. Texas A&M in 2007; and two losses in 2008, a 20-19 heartbreaker to West Chester, followed by a 41-14 setback at Indiana.

? The Panthers have recorded 43 shutouts the last eight seasons. EIU's largest margin of victory, 124-0, was achieved against Michigan State in 2006.

? During this same time period, EIU has outscored the opposition an astounding 4,020 to 371.

QUOTING COACH GRAZIANO ...
“This is an important game for us, not only because it's the first game of season, but we'll be starting five new players who have practiced very well and who have had a great preseason... but need some game experience... our returners are in good shape, physically fit, excited about starting the season, but with so many new players starting we need to gel as a team and achieve good game chemistry right away... Saturday will be a nice game-evaluation... in practice we have been doing a lot of game-situational stuff, but certainly nothing like what will be experienced on game day... over we have had good three weeks of practice, everyone is healthy going in... with only 19 on roster we have adjusted our practice schedule and drills to allow us to remain healthy... we are cautious about the types of drills we have exposed the girls to... but it has certainly paid off as all 19 are at 100%, although there are naturally a few bumps and bruises.”

QUICK LOOK AT BALL STATE...
“We obviously had big victory against them last year,” said Graziano, ”but this is a completely different Ball State squad this season… The first half of this game will be a pure on-field game analysis, to see how much they learned, how comfortable in their first game… stick to basics.

13 RETURNERS TO LEAD THE SQUAD ...
The 2009 squad will be led by seniors Chase Cain, Ashley Jenkins, Crystal Jones, and Stephanie Militello. With juniors Emily Harrison, Tiffany Kennedy, Anne Schnura, and Kristy Young; and sophomores Ashley Aardsma, Tasha Buchmiller, Jazmine Moore, and Narissa Ramirez also to be called upon to help the Panthers on the field.

SIX NEWCOMERS READY TO GO ...
Six newcomers will be getting their first taste of intercollegiate rugby as sophomore Tina Crema and freshmen Lauren Doyle, Kayla Heal, Mandie Hurd, Stefanie Mahan, and Kelsi Wright looking to make an immediate this season.

AND TEAM CAPTAINS ARE ...
Seniors Crystal Jones, Stephanie Militello, and Chase Cain; and sophomore Narissa Ramirez can be easily identified as the 2009 EIU Panther team captains due to the big 'C' on their uniform.

MORE FROM COACH GRAZIANO ...
“Our four seniors are very excited to get their last season started, but they also understand that they may be playing next to, or in some cases, on either side of a girl who has never played a game before... so their challenge is to not only play well, but keep the new girls focused and as relaxed as possible.”

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID