There’s reason to be excited in the Rugby Northeast (RNE). The conference has seen some movement this fall season, and so far, it’s all been for the better. Three teams aligned with NSCRO but are still playing RNE conference schedules, and another two programs have been added to the lineup, and they’re ticking up the competition.

The proof? NSCRO champ and RNE newcomer Roger Williams nearly beat two-time reigning conference champ Stonehill College last weekend. Stonehill, for the first time in two years of league play, had to reclaim the lead from its opponent, twice. Trailing 27-26, Stonehill spent the final six minutes of play hammering at the tryline. It wasn’t until the final minute of regulation that senior wing Victoria Wallace dotted down her third score of the day. AJ Luther, who led the Rugby Northeast with 20 tries last year as a freshman, added the conversion for the 33-27 win. (read the full recap)

“They all had a hand in the final score whether earning the penalty, passing the ball off, supporting in the rucks or touching it down,” Jenesky told HillRec Sports. “This was earned by the 15 on the field.” 

For Stonehill, that’s going to be the key this year. The team lost irreplaceables like Sarah Buonopone and Ashley Motta to graduation, but Jenesky is optimistic about the future.

“It sounds silly considering what we lost to graduation, but I think this year we can be even better,” Jenesky explained. “We look more like a team of 15 instead of relying on a few great players to step up all of the time.”

There is an all-senior leadership group in the center of the field. Scrumhalf Amanda Montanari and flyhalf JeiLi Merrill captain the side, and are flanked by fellow seniors Jillian Spinney and Wallace at inside center and wing, respectively. They’re key to steadying the team and counter an exciting group of first-years trying to break into the rotation.

“What I am really excited about though is the sophomores and juniors,” Jenesky confessed. “They have been motivated from day one of preseason, and have shown a maturity and focus that has been outstanding. Every one of them has improved in one or more facets of the game.”

St. Michael’s is the obvious pick for main competition – and for good reason. The Vermont team is good every year and got its second league win over Holy Cross (62-0) last weekend. The squad opened up its fall with a 31-14 win over DI Boston University.

But watch for newcomer Franklin Pierce, which transferred from the small college league, like Roger Williams. Combined, the pair are 4-0 thus far.

“These teams plus Bryant, Providence and Bentley, among other teams, are taking steps forward and look tougher,” Jenesky scanned the league. “Week in and week out, there should be some good conference matches.

“I honestly think it's wide open this year and whatever teams make it to nationals out of our conference will be much more battle-tested than the past few years,” Jenesky added. “In the last few years there were not many competitive conference matches, which made it tough for us when we came up against a Kutztown. [During league] we had faced no adversity and most of our starters had been pulled before halftime. This year things will be different because the conference is better.”

This weekend’s matches:
Stonehill v Bryant
St. Michael’s v Merrimack
Franklin Pierce v Saint Anselms
Southern Connecticut v Roger Williams
Providence v Bentley
Holy Cross v UMass Lowell