The team must also cut corners to provideplayers adequate medical coverage.

Since the College bars club sports from thetrainer's room, Connor, who has a nursing degree,must play both coach and trainer, aiding injuredplayers as well as those with recurring problems.

Rifkin recalled that after an injury to aDartmouth player the team was denied access tovarsity teams' ice. She said she was insulted at"not having medical access because we're not`real' athletes."

"It's things like giving us basic access toice--it's frozen water!" Rifkin said.

Wallison said she was similarly frustrated withthe team's club status, but that she was moreembarrassed by the team's lack of resources.

"It's hard to go to these tournaments, to seethese teams in their warm-up uniforms, withtrainers," Wallison said. "We've proven that we'rea very dedicated, serious group and that wedeserve recognition."

As for the future, of the team's 11 graduatingseniors, some intend to continue their interest inthe sport and many are motivated to keep playingby the recent announcement that rugby--male andfemale--will be included in the 2004 OlympicGames.

Ward said she "definitely" has Olympic dreamsand will take her first step toward pursuing themthis summer, at the under-23 national team camp.Yee and Wallison plan to room together next yearin Manhattan, and would not discount thepossibility of playing club Rugby there.

"I wouldn't mind being an Olympic medalist,continuing with the success," Wallison said. "It'sa great feeling to go out there and play the sportyou love.