The women’s rugby team isn’t one that’s talked about much around Iowa State, but the adviser of the team, Elvin Hasselman, said they should be.

Hasselman said some of the women on his team “hit as hard as men” and deserve to be noticed.

“We have been training with the new members of our team, and usually after we overcome the first tackle, some of these women learn how to really ring your bell,” he said.

Hasselman has helped the rugby team get into shape for the season, practicing four hours a week with drills, weight training and running.

He said the goal of the running is to help the members of the team run for 40 minutes straight, because the rugby game doesn’t have timeouts.

Elizabeth Monaghan, a senior at Iowa State and injured rugby member, has been part of the team for four years.

Monaghan said the team has gone through a lot of changes since then, including a lot of improvement and growth.

“About a year and a half ago, we only had 11 women but now the team has doubled,” said Monaghan of the approximately 25 members on the team.

Monaghan said the team used to drive to the games, but now that may have to change. She doesn’t know if they will be able to continue, because of growth in the size of the team.

The team is currently looking for a sponsor to help accommodate with the growing size.

“We could really use a major sponsor for the team, because we are going to need to have a bus. I think I might have a lead on a sponsor but more could help,” Hasselman said.

The Government of the Student Body funds half of the expenses for the team, and the team provides the other half by fund raising.

“The women donate plasma, have bake sales and a lot of the team members use their own money to keep the team going,” Monaghan said.

Hasselman said the members of the team are dedicated to the sport and have a lot of fun participating in the practices and the games.

“The thing that I like the best about this team is that the women are so close; they get along great and there are no cliques,” he said.

He said he also liked this sport because if after the game there are no hard feelings, people just get together and have a beer with the other team.

The team traveled to Kirksville, Mo. Saturday for a matchup with Truman State. The game was called at the halfway point because of the cold, but Iowa State came away with the 20-0 win.

The women’s rugby team will be back in action Saturday in Waverly.