Parsons during Eagle camp /// Photo: Carisa Weaver •
The Gold Cup contested its first two games last weekend, and NOVA represented the Mid-Atlantic Conference with back-to-back games against Northeast leaders Beantown and Boston. This new tournament, which also involves the Midwest, is important for regions with an inordinately long build-up to playoffs, and these DI crossovers provide more frequent insight into the teams’ relative strength. Canterbury Player of the Week Sara Parsons stood out on the weekend, as she helped NOVA to a close loss to Beantown and big rebound victory against Boston.
Parsons has covered some ground in her short time in the sport. A UN Reno softball player, Parsons transferred to rugby in her senior year and helped the Wolfpack to a regional playoff spot in 2015. That’s when Eagle prop Jamie Burke scouted the tall, powerful ballcarrier, who was playing fullback at the time. She was fast-tracked into the Eagle pool and was part of the 2015 Super Series team that doled out a slew of new caps. Parsons then aligned with the Austin Valkyries before transferring to the East Coast and suiting up with the Scion Rugby Academy. The mobile 7s prop was instrumental in Scion’s club 7s championship title. When it came time for fall 15s, Parsons looked toward NOVA.
The first thing that struck NOVA head coach Brian Walker was Parson’s positive attitude. She’s the type of person who attends every training and game, asks questions, and requests feedback – all with the goal of improvement. The second thing he noticed: Her tackle.
“At least once every practice, she does something that makes the coaches and players see the quality of athlete she is,” Walker said. “On the field, that translates into setting the tone early for us. In every game, she puts a big hit on somebody in the first couple of minutes, and that the gets the team fired up.”
Parsons’ physical presence was important on the weekend, especially against Beantown. She started at blindside flanker and moved to No. 8 in the second half. She has a quick step from the back of the scrum, and her picks got NOVA moving forward. Although NOVA lost the game 20-11, the team focused on quicker support in the breakdown and a better defensive launch, and won the second half on the scoreboard. NOVA then defeated Boston 50-7 the following day.
“She brings an all-around skill set in terms of having power and speed,” Walker said. “She is a strong, clean, hard tackler. She protects the ball well in the contact area, runs nice strike lines, and is a good all-around teammate. She doesn’t try to do everything herself. She had four assists and one try against Boston and could have easily scored another two.”
NOVA has a lot of depth in its loose forwards and Parsons is one of those breakaways who translates well in the centers. She’s banked some time in the #13 jersey this season, whatever suits the team. There’s a long season ahead and flexibility is key as the roster fluctuates, and NOVA is happy to have power Parsons on board.
(Stay tuned for more reportage on the Gold Cup.)
Sara Parsons is the third Player of the Week for October, and was preceded by Kat Scheerer on Oct. 10, and Lea Walsh on Oct. 3. At the end of the month, readers will cast their votes for Player of October and the winner (like September’s Sui A’au) will be honored by Canterbury (and receive a goodie bag!).
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