The Girls High School All-Americans (GHSAAs) added four more wins to its all-time 15s record, improving to 6-0 after victories over the Quebec U18s the previous three days. The U16 and U18 All-Americans defeated the Canadians by a combined 231-18 scoreline. [Photos: Dave Ramage]
The series began on Friday, July 29, and saw the first-ever U16 GHSAAs dot down 11 unanswered tries in the 71-0 victory. Flyhalf Alex DiMarco (White Horse, Pa.) converted eight of 11 tries, which were dotted down by No. 8 Addison Horsley (United, Utah) twice, flanker Joannah Skucek (State College, Pa.), lock Sam Tancredi (North Bay, Md.), sub Megan Reed (Hamilton United, Ind.) and three apiece from prop Eti Haungatau and fullback Lote Tausinga of Sacramento.
Incoming junior Haungatau is a well known entity and has played in the centers and back row for the Amazons. That flexibility saw the GHSAA front row out with the backs often, and Quebec struggled to contain the devastating ballcarrier. Haungatau was equally influential in today’s U16 result, scoring two tries in the 63-5 victory and earning Forward of the Match honors. She was also added to the GHSAA U18 reserves.
The GHSAA U18s began its two-game series with a 48-5 win Friday. Fullback Delia Hellander (Morris, N.J.), wing Alie Ramage (Morris, N.J.), prop Emma Conrad (Fond du Lac, Wisc.), flanker Liz Wilson (West End, Va.) and prop Annie Rolf (Saint Joseph, Ohio) all scored tries. Captain and inside center Emily Henrich (Orchard Park, N.Y.) led all scorers with three tries and four conversions. The U18s put up similar numbers today, defeating Quebec 49-8.
“I think the biggest difference-maker in [Friday’s] win was how united we were as a team,” Henrich, pictured, referenced the series opener. “A lot of our tries were scored off of people supporting their teammates’ runs. We all really care for one another and hold each other accountable. I think that translated into our play [Friday]. I think we were also dominant in size and speed. That helped us dominate a number of rucks and tackles to keep possession of the ball.”
Henrich is one of three players (Hannah Garcia and Natalie Gray are the others) who represented the GHSAAs in the program’s first 15s tour in August 2015. The trio became important leaders as veterans of the program.
“My major concern for the day was if we were going to use the system our coaches taught us to its full potential,” the incoming junior explained. “We play the same style the [U.S.] senior women do. It was new for many girls on the team. I was nervous that on game day the complexity of our system of rugby would affect our play, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well we were able to use it.”
The All-American season isn’t over yet. The GHSAA West camp assembles at Seattle University starting August 2 and will play two games against the B.C. U18s. There is no U16 component to the West camp and thus is half the size. Click here for the GHSAA West attendees.
Friday, July 29
USA U16 GHSAA 71-0 Quebec
USA U18 GHSAA 48-5 Quebec
Saturday, July 31
USA U16 GHSAA 63-5 Quebec
USA U18 GHSAA 49-8
U16 Girls High School All-Americans
Gigi Agliardo – State College, Pa.
Delani Bargell – Summit, Colo.
McKenzie Borchers – Kingwood, Texas
KC Byrd – Ravenwood, Tenn.
Samantha Carroll – Lincoln-Sudbury, Mass.
Kateleen Delapaz – Kent, Wash.
Isabella Devore – Fallbrook, Calif.
Alex DiMarco – White Horse, Pa.
Grace Estes – Iowa Hawkettes
Lauren Ferridge – Maryland Exiles, Md.
Brooke Garcia – Southington, Conn.
Eti Haungatau – Sacramento, Calif.
Addison Horsley – United, Utah
Reagan Hunter – Plano, Texas
Madison Jumper – Kent, Wash.
Natalie Locke – Warsaw, Ind.
Leilani Mendoza – South Bay, Calif.
Delaney Rakuita – Herriman, Utah
Megan Reed – Hamilton United, Ind.
Punipuao Skipps – South Bay, Calif.
Joannah Skucek – State College, Pa.
Samantha Tancredi – North Bay, Md.
Salote Tausinga – Sacramento, Calif.
Hailey Thomas – North Bay, Md.
Alexandra Wantlin – Fullerton, Calif.
Camile White – West Carroll, Md.
U18 Girls High School All-Americans
Naomi Colin – Fallbrook, Calif.
Emma Conrad – Fond du Lac, Wisc.
Jordan Cowan – Morris, N.J.
Olivia Duba – Danville, Calif.
Lelyss Eligio – Play Rugby Academy, N.Y.
*Hannah Garcia – Warsaw, Ind.
*Natalie Gray – Summit, Colo.
Delia Hellander – Morris, N.J.
Alyssa Henneberg – Fallbrook, Calif.
*Emily Henrich – Orchard Park, N.Y.
Sydney Hugus – North Central, Ind.
Lynnzee Jordan – White Horse, Pa.
Grace Kiraly – Penn, Ind.
Paige Krahling – White Horse, Pa.
Jodi Losch – Summit, Colo.
Hannah Moran – Valkyries, Pa.
Jess Nagie – Morris, N.J.
Alie Ramage – Morris, N.J.
Darina Roe – State College, Pa.
Annie Rolf – St. Joseph Academy, Ohio
Hannah Savin – Fallbrook, Calif.
Brianna Whitfield – Morris, N.J.
Elizabeth Wilson – West End, Va.
Erin Wright – Catholic Memorial, Wisc.
* Featured on the 2015 GHSAA team vs. BC U18s