San Diego’s Kyla Roth, seen here during club 7s nationals /// Photo: Carisa Weaver •
San Diego (1-1) rebounded from its two-point loss in week one of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), beating Berkeley (0-2) 69-7 in Moraga, Calif., Saturday.
“In hindsight, that loss might have been a good thing for us,” San Diego coach Jarrod Faul referenced the Glendale loss last weekend. “The girls know we let that game get away from us. We were up by a decent amount of points and should have closed it out. We learned that lesson, and against Berkeley, we played right ‘til the end.”
San Diego’s shape and cohesion was better, too, and the visitors were able to stretch the field and punch the holes when needed. The Surfers played at pace – although Faul indicated that fitness continues to be a focus – and saw a comparable amount of points scored in either half.
“Berkeley challenged our defense at times,” Faul said. “Sometimes we were too skinny of defense, or there were times where we didn’t stay connected and they attacked the spaces with ball in hand. And their [flyhalf], Lauren Rhode, she did a pretty good job kicking to space and catching us out of position.”
While the majority of the squad that traveled to Glendale was also present in NorCal, there were some adjustments to the starting line as players like Hope Rogers and Jordan Gray (outside center) joined the lineup. Berkeley, too, made some adjustments after the ORSU match, like bringing Dot Mittow opposite Gray, but also looked very similar to week one.
San Diego’s Hunter Griendling, Sam Pankey and Kyla Roth scored multiple tries, while Mely Quiroz, Danielle Miano and Hope Rogers also added five-pointers. Tia Blythe handled the kicking duties. Both San Diego’s and Berkeley’s lineups were similar to week one’s, although the Surfers added Rogers and Jordan Gray at outside to the roster this week.
“Collectively, we played really well,” Faul said. “Our flyhalf, Hunter, had an outstanding game. Her game management is improving, especially now that she has an understanding of our systems. She seems to grow with every training and game. She’s a real threat on the pitch and has a good eye for attacking the space.
“Sam Pankey had a great game, too,” the coach said of the front row. “She had a great game last weekend, too. She’s a great player to have on your team.”
The first half of the season will close next weekend, when San Diego faces ORSU at home, and Berkeley travels to Glendale. On the other side of the league, Twin Cities (2-0) defeated the D.C. Furies (0-2) 50-12, while New York (2-0) bettered Atlanta (0-2) 24-16. The Amazons will play its third-straight game at home against also-undefeated New York.
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