Photo courtesy SFGGWRFC
San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) knew that it was a good team, but playing in the same competition as Life West limited its ability to test itself outside of NorCal. But the league changed its postseason pathways this season, in that the victor (Life West) would follow a DI path and runner-up would go DII. Now, after a Pacific North title and back-to-back wins at DII western regionals, the team is poised to test whether it’s the best team in DII.
The final gauge awaits in the form of Milwaukee Scylla, which won the DII eastern regionals (report to come). The pair will meet in Glendale, Colo., to contest the USA Rugby Women’s DII Club National Championship.
RELATED: Donate to SFGG’s Nationals Fund • Meet Fellow DII Finalist Milwaukee Scylla • Women’s Rugby Results: May 19-21, 2017
“We’re definitely surprised we’re there because this is the unknown,” SFGG backs coach Andy McKee said. “If you never play outside your region you don’t know how good you are in comparison to the rest of the country. A national final doesn’t come around every year, or even in an entire playing career. … But we’ve been growing in confidence the last 6-7 weeks and the team believes we can do this.”
This process first began with the coaches. The staff consists of backs coach McKee, head coach Jeff McKay and forwards coach Emma McKay. The trio met in the pre-season to set some goals and assess its talent pool.
“We brought in a bit more coherence and professionalism to our coaching plan,” McKee said. “We sat down at the head of the season and decided what we would expect from players, what they should expect from us, how we wanted to play the game, and whether we had those players to execute that game plan. We then had regular meetings throughout the season to tweak that game plan and develop new drills and session plans to fit our goal.”
Photo: Jackie Finlan
Captain and flyhalf Lindsay Kinsler, and president and No. 8 Sheridan Gho led the way. They have decades of experience between them and really embraced the game style that head coach McKay put forth. The team inherited impactful players like Roz Okpara and Delaney Chapman, and continues to nurture a relationship with UC Davis. Notable alumni like Kristin Shum were attracted to the Neil Foote-led summer 7s program last year and that helped spur recruitment from the two-time reigning DI spring college champion.
The regular season was a strange one, and really, only SFGG and Life West were consistent throughout the spring – no forfeits, no fluctuating numbers, no eligibility issues. And while SFGG did get some competitive matches, it also had to play the Eagle-laden Gladiatrix, which is competing for the DI national championship as well.
“I have to say that they have made us better,” McKee said. “They set the benchmark for women’s rugby certainly in NorCal and looks like they’re doing it nationwide now. We’ve seen how good they are and how good we need to be. We wish them all the best in the DI final and hope they bring the title back to California.”
Photo: Bill Thomas (see more)
Games against Life West had their positives, and McKee talked about how SFGG would compartmentalize games and bank small victories. But losing by triple digits can also challenge a team’s morale and sow doubt in its abilities.
Heading into the Pacific North championship against Pacific Northwest champion Emerald City, SFGG was coming off an extended break. As it turned out, though, the extra rest and focused training sessions worked in the team’s favor. Meanwhile, it allowed the staff to do its homework on the Mudhens.
“They were a kicking team, which is something we haven’t ever experienced in our division,” said McKee, a former flyhalf. “It’s not an integral part of women’s rugby right now and something we’re trying to introduce to our game play this season. We can because we finally have players who can play that game.”
Photo: Bill Thomas (see more)
Kinsler came through big time off the tee, slotting four penalty goals in the 24-10 win. She managed the offensive kicking game well, and the back three of Shum, Sara Maurer and Alexis Johnson did a good job in the kick-return game.
That win provided confidence and perspective – in addition to a berth to the DII national playoff – and helped set up what McKee classified as the team’s best offensive game of the season. Last weekend, SFGG took on HARC western regional playoffs (aka, national quarterfinals). The NorCal side had a ton of possession, carried well and moved the ball out wide (check out the score sheet). They were quick to breakdowns, kept the pace of play high and ended the day with a 62-14 victory.
On Sunday, SFGG put in its best defensive game of the season, according to McKee. Gate took on hometown team Old Pueblo, which had defeated St. Louis 30-15 in its national quarterfinal Saturday, for the berth to the final. McKee noted a more mobile, bigger opponent, and praised his team’s consistent pressure and excellent back-row work. The effort paid off in a 30-10 win.
Photo: Bill Thomas (see more)
“I’m incredibly proud of the performances and the way we play the game,” McKee said. “It’s in the spirit of what rugby is about. We work hard, we’re clean and fair. It’s rewarding to be on staff and be part of this playoff run.”
The run has one more stop – the DII national championship. SFGG has confirmed it’s a good team; now it can test whether it’s the best team in DII.
“I am so proud of the team this season,” McKee enthused. “It’s a very close-knit team. We work very hard at training and we’re supportive off the field. We have a great board and I’d like to say the best women’s rugby social media in the world (@sfggwrfc on instagram). We get a great amount of support from the men’s side, particularly Director of Rugby Neil Foote. Golden Gate is a very happy place to be.”
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