Photo: KJ Feury
The Las Vegas Invitational is a major 7s showcase, but teams are still using the tournament for 15s fixtures. Four women’s teams – two college, two senior – will take to the Silver Bowl fields near Sam Boyd stadium. The big game we’re tracking is DI Elite’s BYU vs. Lindenwood, which will occur Friday, March 3 at 10:20 a.m. on field 15.
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Lindenwood has more total field time this year, but the Lions have been idle since the November tour of California. The Cougars have been more active in the New Year and played a common opponent, UC Davis, earlier in the month (read more).
Friday’s match is obviously a friendly, but the game is a serious one. The teams are generally isolated and the elite competition that both programs represent is valuable. For BYU, the DI Elite runner-up, one will recognize players like Rebekah Hebdon, who traveled with the USA Women’s National Team to France in November; loose forwards Justina Grubb and Grace Taito, who were influential in the 2016 title match; halfbacks Ali Smith and Nicole McCullough, who swapped positions from last year; Analise Arnold, who’s tough to take down on the wing; and Emma Workman, former High School All-American, who takes her talents to the backline.
BYU graduated some influential experience, including 15s Eagle Jordan Gray, Sia Skipps and Jessie Beck, so it’ll be interesting to see who are the new difference-makers.
BYU is known for its forward attack, and Lindenwood will look toward Lia Ili, Taina Aumua and Laura Enk to set the tone up front. Joining the pack is Natalie Kosko, who typically features in the backs and will ramp up the speedy attack in the loose forwards. Scrumhalf Annakaren Pedraza, who was named to the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup pool (read more), will link with 2016 Olympian Richelle Stephens at flyhalf. It’s allowed Women’s Junior All-American McKenzie Hawkins to play at inside center, her more natural position according to coach Billy Nicholas. There are some great attacking options in the back three, including Caring De Freitas, who represented Venezuela at the South American 7s Championship earlier this month.
All told, there is a lot of talent across both of these teams, and the game will be worth the watch. The only conflict is the USA Women’s 7s team will be playing Spain at 11:02 a.m. in the stadium.
Women’s 15s @ LVI
Friday, March 3
10:20 a.m. Lindenwood v BYU (field 15)
12:40 p.m. SoCal All-Stars v Misfits (field 16)
Saturday, March 4
11:20 a.m. Lindenwood v Misfits (field 18)
11:20 a.m. BYU v SoCal All-Stars (field 15)
BYU
1. Rebekah Hebdon
2. Telisha Pantelakis
3. Hannah Beagley
4. Emma Stewart
5. Gabrielle Peterson
6. Lindsay Sheridan
7. Justina Grubb
8. Grace Taito
9. Ali Smith
10. Nicole McCullough
11. Alexa Tenney
12. Alisa Baker
13. Emma Workman
14. Analise Arnold
15. Jessica Peterson
16. Genesis Hinckley
17. Kathleen Dzaran
18. Lauren Cranor
19. Kainoa Ah Quinn
20. Emma Clinnick
21. Sarah Jones
22. Rachel Ogden
23. Sasha Morales-LLan
Head coach: Tom Waqa
LINDENWOOD
1. Lia Ili
2. Taina Aumua
3. Laura Enk
4. Tiffany Person
5. Mckenna Davis
6. Kendal McCracken
7. Natalie Kosko
8. Nika Paogofie-Buyten
9. Annakaren Pedraza
10. Richelle Stephens
11. Davon Thomas
12. McKenzie Hawkins
13. Teresa Bueso-Gomez
14. Caring De Freitas
15. Hannah Gauthreaux
16. AnneMarie Reed
17. Brittany Vazquez
18. Mire Codjia
19. Ariana Lewis
20. Jennese Bacon
21. Morgan Courtney
22. Dana Olsen
23. Renee Gonzalez
Head coach: Billy Nicholas