"Repeat is sweet," as the saying goes, but making this maxim come true is a difficult task. The Radcliffe rugby team, national champions in 1998, learned this lesson the hard way, as the team failed to qualify for this year's national tournament.

As the team learned, dynasties require a certain attitude, and the squad used the spring season to regain that crucial component. Radcliffe was a perfect 11-0 in its spring season, which included a decisive victory at the inaugural Ivy League Championship Tournament.

In rugby, the fall season determines who advances to the national finals, held at the end of the spring games. Radcliffe, reeling from the loss of eleven seniors and struggling to refocus after last year's successful title run, dropped two key games to Dartmouth and Amherst, which ended any chance of defending its title.

"It was hard to get our bearings after Nationals," Coach Lisa Gartner said. "We'd achieved our goal, and then it was like 'Now what?'"

Despite the disappointing fall, the team successfully rebounded this spring, in part by welcoming a promising group of rookie players. The team is now setting its sights on recapturing the national crown next year.

Defending the Championship

Just one year ago, Radcliffe rugby was untouchable. Loaded with experienced seniors, the squad rolled over its competition and won the national championship with a thrilling 12-10 victory over Penn State.

Despite gaining valuable experience and confidence, Radcliffe struggled this fall to remain focused.

"We were used to blowing past everyone," fall Captain Erika Lundquist said. "It was frustrating; we could have done better."