CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women's rugby has added a late-season home contests versus Illinois State for this coming Sunday (Nov. 17) afternoon. EIU and ISU will take part in a pair of Rugby 7s contests, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. at Lakeside Rugby Field.
Panthers bring a 1-6 overall mark into the contest, yet EIU has not played in over a month, with their last game held back on October 19, as Eastern blanked Kentucky, 61-0. on the road.
HEAD COACH FRANK GRAZIANO
Graziano is in his 15th season as skipper of the Panthers. He owns a 119-27 overall mark, which includes a 4-3 record in NCAA contests. EIU sports a 126-28 all-time program record, as the sport first took the field during the fall of 1998.
QUOTING GRAZIANO
"We've been practicing and improving each day in anticipation of this schedule addition," Graziano said. "The squad has maintained a good mental attitude, so we are excited to actually play again and execute what we've been working on in practice over the last month or so. Yet it remains to be seen how good a product we will bring out on the field.
"Everyone is healthy and in good spirits, and with us playing sevens on Sunday, we'll actually have some substitutes for this game, which will be huge. Having no subs during the normal rugby matchups this fall has been a big problem, so this format should be a big benefit for us.
"We haven't played ISU in nine years, so we'll have to figure out their game plan within the first minute of the contest, as I have really no info on their squad at this time.
"Unfortunately, we are probably done for the fall season, schedule-wise, with possible spring additions to be determined by the administration. I'd like to see us possibly plan to play Rugby 7s in the spring, specifically maybe host a number of Midwest squads in a one-day tourney during the month April or so, is definitely an idea we will toss around at that time."
ALL-TIME EIU/ISUSERIES
EIU and ISU will meet for the sixth time this Sunday, with the Panthers enjoying a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series history. The two instate rivals last met on the rugby pitch back in 2002, with Eastern earning a 43-0 road rout.
OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Freshman Miranda Hankins leads all Panthers with four trys on the season, while fellow newcomer Hannah Vieth paces the EIU offense with 21 total points, including five two-point conversion and 2-for-3 mark in penalty kick.
Sophomore Jasmine Garnder and Hankins both tie with seven runs over 20-yards on the season, while junior Carissa Burge has dished out a team-high three assists.
Defensively, junior Ellen Wilson sports 62 total solo tackles, while tying newcomer Alivia Smithers with 24 assisted stops. Freshman Emalie Thornton leads the Panthers with four steals-at-tackle.
WEEKEND WEATHER PROJECTION
According to weather.com, Charleston's Sunday weather outlook will be a bit of a mess, with winds gusting to 30-mph and an 80% chance of rain currently being projected. However, game-time temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-60s.
QUICK RECAP OF LAST MONTH'S ROAD WIN AT UK
EIU rugby ran past host Kentucky, 61-0, on Saturday (Oct. 19) as the Panthers snapped a program-high losing streak and improved to to 1-6 on the season.
A multitude of Panthers scored in the road rout with sophomore Jasmine Gardner and newcomers Tracey Armstrong and Miranda Hankins all scampering for two trys apiece. Meanwhile freshmen Sara Fisher secured her first career try as well.
Junior Carissa Burge led the assist game as she dished out three helpers in the win, while sophomore Hannah Vieth finished 3-for-11 in two-point conversions.
EIU also shined defensively as the 106 total solo stops ranks as the second best single-game mark by an EIU squad. Junior Ellen Wilson was a force with 25 total unassisted tackles, which also ranks in the EIU Top 5 for single-game tally. Newcomer Emily Fitzgerald followed with 17 stops of her own, while junior Kim Youhas chipped in 15.
In assisted stops, EIU registered 31 as well, led by Wilson and Fitzgerald with seven apiece.
Tracey Armstrong not only scored her first career trys in the win, but also led all players with three runs over 20-yards, as EIU finished with 16 such scampers.
Playing in less than ideal field conditions, including a steady cold rain, EIU enjoyed a 27-0 first half lead enroute to the victory.
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID
