by Matthew Kappus
Daily Lobo
If Saturday's game is any indication, the UNM women's rugby team is headed for a spectacular season.
The No. 12 Lobos thumped No. 1 Air Force 41-0 at University Stadium on Saturday.
According to GoffOnRugby.com, the Falcons were ranked No. 1 in the nation and were 11-1 as of last week. The Lobos were 5-1 as of last week, according to the Web site.
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After Saturday's win, expectations are high, UNM head coach Shannon Robinson said.
"This is a team that could go to the national championship,"
he said.
This year's team is talented, but the work ethic is what's most impressive, Robinson said.
"They are very disciplined,"
he said.
The Lobos are coming off a 7-1 season. Their only loss last season came at the hands of Air Force in October 2005. However, Lobo players did not feel any extra pressure to redeem themselves, player Sydney Forestal said.
"We knew we could beat them," she said. "We didn't give up
one bit."
UNM set the tempo early in the game by spreading the field, and the Lobos relied on their speed to keep the ball in Air Force
territory.
The Lobos crossed the goal line four times in the first half. Leading 29-0 at halftime, the Lobo barrage continued after the break. The team put up another 12 points in the second half while shutting out the Falcons to complete the
dismantling.
While the Lobos proved their offense could score with the best of them, All-American Jillion Potter said ball control was as important as anything else.
"Keeping possession of the ball was the No. 1 priority," she said.
She said that the Lobos' rucking - in which opposing teams fight for the ball in a clenched pile - was a key to winning.
The Lobos will not play again until March 17, when they meet Brigham Young. While this may give the team some time to savor their victory against Air Force, Potter said the Lobos need more experience on the field to prepare for future games.
"It's going to be hard for new recruits to go into something as challenging as the playoffs,"
Potter said.
UNM will have to train hard in order to stay sharp, and Potter embraces the responsibility of keeping the team focused.
"I'll try to lead by example,"
she said.
