Rugby grabs three all-americans

Yale boasts many athletes and teams that have made an impact, not only in Ivy League competition but also on the national level. Three members of the Yale women's rugby football team are now a part of this elite group, as Hedwig Aerts, CC '97, Eby Nwaosabi, SM '97, and Ashley Tsongas, ES '97, were named to the All-American squad.

The team in action

As captain of the back line, Aerts has established herself with her dynamic field game. She possesses incredible ball-handling skills as well as great speed and agility. Filling the position of fly half, Aerts is responsible for deciding what plays to run and for distributing the ball to the other runners in the back line. Aerts performs much of the kicking and has committed herself to learning all parts of the game. "As co-captain of this team, I feel that it is especially important for me to educate myself about the game so that I can teach the other players."

The thing that sets Aerts apart from the rest is her amazing instinct on the pitch. "Hedwig is a natural athlete with a sort of innate field sense," co-captain Alison French, BR '97, said. "Her level of play is beyond simply having good skills, which she does. She is a thinking player, and her ability to instantly assess a dynamic situation improves every season."

That is an impressive attribute for a third-year rugby player. Like most college players, including her two fellow All-Americans, Aerts had never played rugby before arriving at Yale.

Aerts not only proved herself to be among the best in the nation, but she took her talents abroad, as well. She spent her spring semester in Japan, where she practiced with the Waseda University team and was invited to play on a combined Tokyo team for a tournament in Nagoya.

"That was probably one of the best rugby experiences I've ever had. It's very strange to be such a giant at 5'8" on a field where most of the players do not exceed 5'4" or so." Aerts claimed the tournament MVP award.

Aerts is now ready to turn her attention back to the States and the Yale fall season as the team expects to contend for a berth at Nationals. As for the future, Aerts does not plan to stop playing anytime soon. "I believe that because rugby is a full-contact, no-fear type of sport, it attracts some of the coolest, strongest women I know, which is especially true of our team. Competing alongside and against such women is what makes this sport so great." As an All-American, Aerts will have the opportunity to compete with the very best. She is already being recruited by some of the top teams in the nation.

The team in action

Teamed with Aerts in the back line is powerhouse Nwaosabi. The team veteran, Nwaosabi is known for her outstanding speed and power. More of a behind-the-scenes leader, Nwaosabi's quiet dedication in practice and explosive game on the pitch have earned her the respect of both teammates and the opposition.

"Eby is a consistently excellent player who was a key element in Yale's nearly meteoric rise to the top last year," French said.

"Eby is fearless," Teresa Sakash, MC '99, said. "Her ability to anticipate, intimidate, and break through the other team's lines make her nearly impossible to stop."

The thing that this pre-med student enjoys most about playing rugby is the physical exertion and aggression that it enables her to display on the field. "If I am having a bad day, I can go play rugby and I feel better," Nwaosabi said. "It is the only sport that incorporates all of the skills I learned in other sports."

Besides her physical ability, Nwaosabi knows what kind of attitude it takes to win. "You can't go out [on the field] with any doubts," said Nwaosabi. " If you don't think you can win, you won't. You need to be psychologically prepared. Even if you have the best fit team, that is the one thing that can bring you down."

Nwaosabi is one of the top scorers on the team. Her phenomenal drive against the opposition has been enough to rally the squad on more than one occasion. And while she is an integral part of Yale's rugby team, the reverse is also true. "My experience on the Yale team is the best I've encountered since I've been here. I've learned a lot from my teammates, about them, and about myself."

"I think it's really cool that I only started playing my freshman year and have made it this far. To know that I am considered one of the best women's collegiate players in the country is very flattering. It's a big honor."

Rounding out the All-America trio is forward Ashley Tsongas. This senior, returning to Yale to make up a semester spent abroad in Australia, helps lead the scrum in the loose head prop position. Coming back in the middle of last season from a shoulder injury sustained in Australia, some consider Ashley the "quintessential All-America success story." After being sidelined with the injury, Ashley's re-emergence on the team was marked by great improvement in every aspect of her game.

"Ashley worked extremely hard and far surpassed her previous skill level," French said. "Her devotion to her sport and team, as well as to her own development as an athlete, deserves the utmost respect."

Tsongas' tremendous physical work ethic has enabled her to develop the strength which she is known for and which is necessary for playing her position. "As a member of the front row, I help set the tone for engagements in the scrum," Tsongas said. "When Kayla [Tabela], TD '97, Emily [Rabin], SY '97, and I are psyched and feeling aggressive, we tend to win a lot more scrums."

But for Tsongas, the distinction as an All-American was incomplete. "In a way, it was hard. I wish our entire front row [Tsongas, Tabela, and Rabin] was nominated as one person, because sometimes in a game, I feel that we are."

Tsongas is currently in her fourth rugby season. Her time in the sport has enabled her to view it from more than a simply physical perspective. "Rugby as a sport is great because of the way it accommodates every type of athlete and every type of personality. It does incredible things for women who would never thought of themselves as aggressive, or who would never consider tackling and taking someone down. It gives them more confidence. I think that's why I have dedicated so much time to it."

Each of these players has been nationally recognized for different aspects of the game, yet they have united together as teammates and displayed the dedication and attitude necessary to elevate them to the level of All-American.