St. Bonaventure commit Hannah (right) congratulates younger sister Mia, the Player of the Match.
The Orchard Park vs. St. Joseph Academy match received top billing last week, not only for the quality of competition but also for its place in a clinic/recruitment weekend at St. Bonaventure University (read more). Bonnies head coach Clarence Picard was so pleased by the display of talent on the pitch, calling for All-American nods beyond the well known players. So it’s no surprise that the friendly match produced the Canterbury High School Players of the Week.
RELATED: HS Player of the Week (3/20) • Game Photos (The Buffalo News) • Women’s Rugby Results: March 25-26
In its first game of the year, Orchard Park defeated the single-school champion 55-39. Regardless of the match’s friendly nature, a win like that sets the tone for the season, and it’s especially valuable because this season will culminate in the program’s first-ever foray at nationals. The Canterbury High School Player of the Week award is shared between two people who have probably had to share many things in life: No. 8 Hannah Riccardi and younger sister Mia, the fullback.
“Senior captain Hannah Riccardi and her junior sister, Mia Riccardi, were critical components of Orchard Park’s victory,” Orchard Park coach Lisa Henrich praised. “Hannah was relentless in the rucks, causing havoc and forcing turnovers. She also ran the ball with presence and authority. Her leadership was also vital as the relatively inexperienced Orchard Park squad faced a very disciplined and skilled St. Joseph’s pack led by Annie Rolf, who is the most impressive high school prop I have ever witnessed.”
Rolf is a High School All-American and well known at the national level. Encountering that level of physicality and skill during the pre-season will help Hannah set expectations in the pack she leads. Hannah will also be booting up for St. Bonaventure next season as a collegiate freshman.
Hannah’s younger sister, Mia, received Player of the Match accolades from the St. Bonaventure staff, and her history in the game is a short but decorated one. Having signed up to play in 2016, a non-rugby-related injury kept Mia on the sidelines for most of the season. She healed by spring’s end, played a half apiece in the last regular season game and state semifinal, and then played the entirety of the state final against Play Rugby USA. Therefore, last weekend’s game against St. Joseph Academy was only her second full game of rugby.
“Mia made at least two try-saving tackles and her defensive efforts stymied an aggressive St. Joseph back line,” Henrich recalled. “She also had an amazing run that ended in the try-zone – the first try of her brief career. … I really look forward to seeing her develop her offensive game during the regular season. She is also a 100-meter sprinter on the Orchard Park track team so I look forward to helping expand her field vision so that she can become an offensive threat from anywhere on the pitch.”
The Riccardi rugby roots have extended into the younger ranks, as younger sister Emily is a leader on the newly formed Orchard Park Middle School team, and even-younger sister Ella is play flag rugby.
Stay tuned for updated rankings.