In seven days, Notre Dame College played three of the country’s best DI programs, and the experience produced a better, more confident team. Canterbury Player of the Week Lea Walsh, co-captain of the NIRA team, was instrumental in helping the Falcons rebound from its Quinnipiac loss and apply itself in wins over Life University and Army.
“These games really showed how well we work together and how far a good attitude can take us,” the junior considered the journey. “The seven-day stretch with three really tough games would take a lot out of us, and it was intimidating.
“Our first game showed some very flawed defense on our part – some people were trying to do everything, and some weren’t doing enough,” Walsh recalled the 30-5 loss to Quinnipiac. “We committed too many penalties, skewing the flow of the game we wanted to play. … Against Life and Army, we did a lot better job sticking to our individual defensive assignments to better contribute to the team’s defense as a whole.”
Life was up first, having traveled from Marietta, Ga., and through Columbus, Ohio, for a Thursday match. The Running Eagles would finish their tour in State College, Pa. The weather did not support the fast, wide-open ball that both teams like to play, and a tighter game evolved.
“We ran a lot of crash balls and switches, hoping to hit some gaps and find weaknesses in their defense,” Walsh explained. “They were hard hitters, but with some solid runs by Najya Jordan, and great chemistry among our loose forwards Hannah Long, Kayla Rudman and Marcaya Bailous, we were able to take them on their back foot.”
Long set up freshman Hannah Bazemore for the first-half score, and then Life took the 7-5 lead in the second stanza. Bailous answered with a try to get ahead for good, and Walsh added the final score from a quick tap, 15-7 the final.
“This game was pretty evenly matched, but I think all in all our chemistry was the main reason we were able to walk away with that win,” the backs leader summarized.
When the Falcons returned to the pitch two days later for Army, the lineup had to adjust in the absence of some key starters. And while first-time starters like Ajaylah Humphrey and Taylor Valentine excelled in their roles and brought infectious energy onto the pitch, the squad showed some weariness in the first half. Army scored its eight points in the first half, sending Rebecca Stipp into the try zone seven minutes in and adding a Bayleigh Gable penalty.
“Their centers were quick and the most powerful runners I’ve ever played against, putting a lot of pressure [on] Emmy Klemencic and I to make our tackles,” Walsh credited the Black Knights. “In the first half we struggled a bit on bringing them down without a second defender to help out. Our team didn’t do anything spectacular in the first 40 minutes, just basic rugby to hold them and force them to kick for points.”
Assistant coach Andrew Martin didn’t sugarcoat the halftime speech, and the Falcons aimed to match Army’s fire in the second stanza. Danielle Walko-Siua scored to get the home side on the board, 8-5, and went on to have a standout second half.
The defense stepped up, too. While flanker Katie Klemencic and reserve Connor McLemore made an impact in the forwards, Walsh and fellow backs were able to shut down the overloads. Wing Bazemore and Alex Strasser were especially crucial in planting that final tackle that would have otherwise resulted in an Army try. Strasser then gave Notre Dame College the lead with a try on the wing, 10-8, and on the last play of the game, Walsh picked off a pass for an intercept try, 17-8.
“We are feeling great,” the co-captain stated. “The last week showed us that we are a lot more resilient than I think some of the girls expected. We lost to Quinnipiac, and stuck together to come back and work hard to really earn the next two wins.
“The difference between our team and some that we’ve faced so far is that we don’t yell at each other on the pitch,” Walsh continued. “We have incredible friendships and chemistry on this team, and it transfers to the field. I know we will continue to grow on it as the season goes on, and I’m really amped to see how good we can get together.”
Lea Walsh is the first Canterbury Player of the Week for October. Readers will vote for Player of the Month come month’s end.