Wisconsin Falls to Menagerie on Road, 29-17

In a much-awaited physical battle on the road, the Wisconsin Women earned their first loss of the season to the Minneapolis Menagerie, 29-17, in Minneapolis.

The match marked the first-ever league game between these two teams after a long history of friendlies.

The Menagerie opened up scoring first with a 5-0 lead in the first few minutes after a fullback insert into the backline to break through Wisconsin's defense for a try with a missed conversion.

Still a bit tired after the long roadtrip up from Madison, the Wisconsin Women woke up and rallied back to take a 12-7 lead after two tries from Backs Captain Jackie Limberg at Inside Center. Hard rucks and mauling in the forwards gained ball to set up Limberg's tries with assists from her fellow backs, including a particularly nice assist from a two-on-one with wing Perla Cassetta and Limberg sweeping past the Menagerie wing down the sideline.

An unfortunate high tackle by a Wisconsin player five meters out from the try line drew a penalty try call from the referee to give Minneapolis a tied game at the halftime, 12-0.

Slippery conditions caused by a constant drizzle left both teams with sloppy passes and catches throughout the match.

The second half saw both teams continue battling in the forwards with the Menagerie maintaining pressure on the Wisconsin defense and the women from Madison working hard to fringe and stop the Menagerie forwards at breakdowns.

The Menagerie rallied again for a try, followed by Limberg's third try for a hat trick in the game and then another try from Minneapolis. However, Wisconsin would falter in the closing minutes after losing a player to a red card from a confusing situation at a late ruck and playing down one player for the final 14 minutes.

A final messy ruck near Wisconsin's try line after a Menagerie lineout saw the ball fly out of the bottom inside the try zone into open space. Surrounded by players from both teams, a Menagerie player pounced on the open ball for a final try against Wisconsin.

Wisconsin named Lena Arvola (Prop) and Jenn Johnson (Scrumhalf) as the Players of the Game. Arvola turned in an outstanding and physical game in the forwards, drawing high-fives from many of her teammates, while Johnson lead her teammates all day with great communication to the forwards and clean passes despite sloppy conditions to the backline.

The Minneapolis Menagerie honored Limberg as their Player of the Game for her three tries.

While a frustrating outcome after a loss and traveling with a small roster, including missing Forwards Captain Katie Rouse, Wisconsin felt the match was a success in preparing for greater physical play for future games.

Wisconsin Roster (City, Previous Team):
1. Nadia Riese (Madison, WI)
2. Meg Dickoff (Madison, WI - Amherst College)
3. Lena Arvola (Mt. Horeb, WI)
4. Bev Briggs (Dubuque, IA)
5. Aletha Petersen (Stevens Point, WI - Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
6. Tricia DiPiazza (Madison, WI - Oberline College)
7. Katie Williams (Madison, WI)
8. Jessica Burda (Madison, WI - Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
9. Jenn Johnson (Madison, WI - Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)
10. Jen "Petey" Peterson (Madison, WI - Univ. of Minnesota)
11. Perla Cassetta (Fond du Lac, WI)
12. Melodie French (Madison, WI - Oberlin College)
13. Jackie Limberg (Madison, WI - Marquette Univ., Chicago NS)
14. Rachael "Rack" Weiker (Madison, WI - Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)
15. Bridgett Hammen (Stevens Point, WI - Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)

Substitutions:
16. Megan Bondehagen (Madison, WI) in for No. 1 Nadia Riese at Prop.

Next Up:
Midwest league game vs. Des Moines Women, Saturday, Sept. 20 at Yahara Rugby Field, Madison. Kickoff - 1 p.m.

Photo: Wisconsin Women after a muddy win, May 2008, photo from Lena Arvola.