Former Laker stars on MSUM rugby club

The MSUM Hummerz women's rugby team recently took third place at the National Small College Rugby Organization Women's Championship in Cherry Hill, N.J., November 22-23.

The finish was remarkable in that as a club sport at MSUM, only one of the players had played rugby before joining the team in college.

The team has a number of players with local ties including former Laker Haley Foster.

Foster lettered in soccer, track, and softball. She is the starting hook and kicker for the team.

Madison Geiser played varsity volleyball, basketball, softball, and track at D-G-F. Madison plays wing for the back line.  Sawyer Salter is another former D-G-F varsity athlete in basketball, softball, and track. Sawyer is the starting right side flank and inserts in the back line also.

Mackenzie Willits is a former varsity athlete from Hawley where she lettered in cross country, basketball, and softball.

Elizabeth Myers is from Moorhead where she lettered in hockey and track and field. She is the starting full back for the Hummerz.

Foster, Salter, and Sydney Zenzen were named to the NSCRO championship 15 for being the best players in their position (hook, flank, and wing) out of all the teams at the tournament."

MSUM players were able to savor the championship victory with a 31-5 lead and six minutes to play in the second half of the title game.

Mount St. Mary’s opened up with a 5-0 advantage, before MSUM scored 31 unanswered points.

MSUM finished the season in a tie for second in the NSCRO national rankings out of a field of 73 playoff eligible clubs.

Roger Williams University won the championship game 45-10 over Sacred Heart University. 

For more information on MSUM rugby visit nscro.org, like the team’s Facebook page: MSUM Women's Rugby or follow them on Twitter @hummerzrugby.

NSCRO Championship 15

Position, Name, School

1. Prop, Domenique Watkins, Sacred Heart University
2. Hook, Haley Foster, Minnesota State University Moorhead
3. Prop, Claudia Gistino, Roger Williams University
4. 2nd Row, Rachel Horner, Mount St. Mary's University
5. 2nd Row, Kelly Simpson, Sacred Heart University
6. Back Row, Ally Dykes, Roger Williams University
7. Back Row, Sawyer Salter, Minnesota State University Moorhead
8. Back Row, Sadia Crosby*, Roger Williams University
9. Scrumhalf, Nikki Campbell, Sacred Heart University
10. Flyhalf, Ashley LaSalandra, Sacred Heart University
11. Wing, Morgan Quagliaroli, Roger Williams University
12. Center, Evynne Gartner, Roger Williams University
13. Center, Colleen Semenick, Sacred Heart University
14. Wing, Sydney Zenzen, Minnesota State University Moorhead
15. Fullback, Courtney Hill, Mount St. Mary's University

MSUM tournament games:
First round: MSUM 73, Carleton 0
Quarterfinal: MSUM 22, Wayne State 13
Semifinal: Roger Williams Univ. 22, MSUM 17
Third Place: MSUM 31, Mt. St. Mary’s 5