After suffering three straight losses by a combined score of 220-24, a shortstaffed Loyalist Lancers women’s varsity rugby team is folding.

The 0-and-3 Lancers will not play their final three games of the OCAA season following an announcement by Loyalist athletic director, Jim Buck, on Wednesday.

"Effective immediately, Loyalist is withdrawing our women’s rugby team from the OCAA,” said Buck. “We feel this decision is in the best interests of our student-athletes from a safety and risk management standpoint. It’s incumbent on me, as athletic director, to make decisions that could affect the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. It’s my duty to provide a safe environment, reduce the chance of injury and reduce the risk of future injuries.”

After losing a handful of key players from last year’s OCAA bronze medal finalists, the Lancers were decimated by injuries early this season that cut heavily into a roster that was not significantly deep and experienced to begin with, said Buck.

"We’ve had a number of serious and season-ending injuries,” said Buck. “I’ve discussed this issue with several college officials and medical professionals. We’re all in agreement that it’s a sound and responsible decision.

"I believe it’s our only course of action.”

Buck praised the work of the Lancers coaching staff, led by Ken Fitzgerald, and the efforts of Loyalist players who were dedicated to keeping the program alive.

"This decision is in no way a reflection of the players or members of the coaching staff,” said Buck.

While the Lancers have packed it in for the remainder of the current campaign, Buck said no decision has been made concerning the long-term future of the women’s rugby program.

"We’ll be evaluating the future of the program over the next few months,” he said.

The OCAA women’s rugby league dropped down to four teams this season — Kingston St. Lawrence, Peterborough Fleming, Ottawa Algonquin and Loyalist — after teams in the former Western Division opted to play only the Sevens version of the game, starting this year.

• Men’s rugby

The Lancers men’s rugby team, also 0-3, look for their first win of the season Thursday when they host the Fleming Knights at MAS Park Field 2. Kick-off is 8 p.m.

• Women’s soccer

The winless Loyalist women’s soccer squad, 0-6-1, were scheduled to play in Peterborough Wednesday night against Fleming. Next home game is Friday vs. the Sudbury Cambrian Golden Shield at 6 p.m. at MAS Park.



