June 16, 2010
Maria Muscara's inspired play on the rugby pitch helped lead La Salle to the finest season in program history, finishing the 2009-2010 season as the 10th ranked club in the nation. The recent graduate's efforts did not go unnoticed, as Muscara was named to USA Rugby's All-American squad. This honor is bestowed upon the best women collegiate rugby players in the country and recognizes a high standard of performance throughout the year.
Muscara, named to USA Rugby's second team, will travel to California in July to compete in USA 7's camp. The ultimate goal is to earn a spot on the USA Women's Rugby Olympic team. Women's Rugby was recently added for the first time as an Olympic sport, debuting in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Maria was also selected to compete in the women's City-Based 7's League, which will compete in Phoenixville on July 26. She'll play for the New York team, against competitors from Philadelphia, Boston and Washington DC. The goal of the league is to prepare athletes for international play.
Maria spearheaded the women's rugby club fundraising efforts during her career at La Salle, serving as President of the club in 2009-2010. She now turns her attention to raising funds for her own rugby career. For more information about Maria's trip to California, rugby events and how you can help her get there, please visit http://mrplaysrugby.blogspot.com/.
The La Salle women's rugby club will begin their journey towards a third consecutive national tournament appearance in August. For more information about the program, please visit http://www.lasallewomensrugby.org/. For information about La Salle eleven club sports or recreational programs, visit www.GoExplorers.com/Campus-Rec or email campusrec@lasalle.edu.
2010 Women's Collegiate All-American - First Team
Sadie Anderson (Penn State University)
Kyle Armstrong (Penn State University)
Candace Barley (Lee University)
Star Bollinger (Brigham Young University)
Danielle Cicuto (United States Naval Academy)
Lauren Daly (University of Colorado)
Chastity Dunnaville (United States Naval Academy)
Jozephine Gessner (Colorado State University)
Janae Grijalva (Stanford University)
Keelia Harker (Brigham Young University)
Lisa Henneman (Penn State University)
Nicole James (Texas A & M University)
Joanna Kitlinski (Grand Valley State University)
Adetayo Mafe (Michigan State University)
Kathryn McCormick (University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee)
Tyra McGrady (Indiana University)
Deven Owsiany (Penn State University)
Kaitlyn Rooney (American University)
Kasonni Scales (Stanford University)
Elizabeth Trujillo (United States Naval Academy)
Amelia Villines (Stanford University)
Jessica Watkins (Stanford University)
Frances Wehrwein (Stanford University)
Annie Zeigler (Penn State University)
2010 Women's Collegiate All-American - Second Team
Maria Muscara (La Salle University)
Sarah Blanchard (Texas A&M University)
Megan Bonny (Washington State University)
Anneke Brand (Texas Tech University)
Erica Cavenaugh (University of Virginia)
Delaney Chapman (UC Davis)
Jennifer Cooper Rider (Stanford University)
Kayla Ellingson (Brigham Young University)
Sharron Gianessi (United States Military Academy)
Tanya Gouws (University of Maryland)
Alexandria Hartley (Brown University)
Alicia Hartley (Brown University)
Carrissa Hsieh (UCLA)
Kristi Jackson (Brigham Young University)
Shawne James (Rutgers University)
Katie Lorenz (University of North Carolina)
Kaelene Lundstrom (Gustavus Adolphus)
Izraelle McKinnon (Brown University)
Ashley Miller (United States Military Academy)
Laura Miller (St. Mary's College of Maryland)
Jackie Osborne (University of Northern Iowa)
Andria Payne (Brown University)
Christiane Pheil (Penn State University)
Jess Sexauer (United States Military Academy)
Wendy Sherman (Colorado State University)
Kirsten Siebach (Brigham Young University)
Moira Somerdyk (Temple University)
Ashley Sorensen (United States Military Academy)
Gina Steffano (Texas A & M University)
