The practical application of the old adage about the tree and the forest is right here on the Penn State campus.

If the Penn State women's rugby team won the national championship, but no one heard about it, then what?

Then no one knows of the success the Lady Ruggers achieved or how much the players enjoy the sport about which they're so passionate. For flyhalf Anna Hosford, her enthusiasm comes from bringing the opposition down, literally.

"I have the most fun hitting people," she said.

Few realize that, though. There are usually only about 50 people who attend the team's games, and the players often wonder why the men's rugby team receives more attention.

The women said they do not resent the men for the spotlight; rather, the Lady Ruggers wish they could just get in on some of the fun. Coach Pete Steinberg, who has led this team since 1995, shares in their feelings.

"We say Penn State rugby won the national championship, not the men's team or the women's team," he said.

Despite a loose connection between the team and casual sports fans, the Lady Ruggers enjoy life on the field as well as away from the pitch.

"We are ridiculous," senior captain Maggie Reed said. At game time, the players wrap themselves in a business-mixed-with-fun atmosphere, but they leave the serious attitudes between the try zones.

"We might make Jessica Simpson sound smart sometimes," Reed said, laughing.

Former Penn State women's rugby players have also been disappointed that the women have been lost in the mix. Paula Knudsen, an alumnus who played on the 1997 national championship team, said the Lady Ruggers' accomplishments have become expected to the point where "it would be more newsworthy if the team was doing poorly."

Reed, however, does not sour at the absence of recognition. "We don't play for anyone but ourselves," she said.

Instead, she said, the key is the game itself.

"It's actually a beautiful sport; it's very cool to watch," she said. She added that, unlike football, "there's no stopping. It only takes 80 minutes, then you can go home."

The beauty is coupled with a challenge that each player faces day to day: going out to the pitch, practicing, running in a conditioning session, or playing an important league match.

Benlian said the biggest test she faces is "being ready to go to practice when it's pouring out or when it's freezing out or you have so much other stuff going on in your life."

While the preparation and anonymity might be tough, the team concurs that the rewards make it worthwhile.

"I get 45 sisters, teammates, friends, and family members," Reed said.

With a new million-dollar clubhouse facility in the works, and a day of recognition during halftime of the Lady Lions basketball game on Dec. 5 coming up, the Lady Ruggers are hopeful for the future, on the pitch and off.

Not to mention, there is that national championship to defend come springtime.

"We cannot be as good as we were last year," Steinberg said. "We have to be better than we were last year."

Are the Lady Ruggers ready for yet another challenge?

"We're ready," Hosford said.