Jenn Sever with Jordan Gray in support /// Photos (early-season v Berkeley): Jackie Finlan
Life West returns to the club national championships, but the NorCal side isn’t looking to repeat its DII title – it’s going after Division I this weekend. After defeating the Austin Valkyries and Utah Vipers at the western regionals, Life West will meet the East’s top team, Raleigh, Saturday night in Glendale, Colo.
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NorCal altered its post-season pathway this year, placing its champion into the DI playoffs and the runner-up into DII playoffs. Other competitions like Red River and Empire have similar make-ups, and for NorCal it was a necessity. Talent wise, Life West could easily perform at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) level, but the team is comprised mostly of students. Its inclusion in the NorCal league – the only local option barring an independent schedule – meant a potentially good DII team would never get past the regular season. The new structure proved well advised, as both of NorCal’s post-season reps are competing for national titles this weekend.
Life West’s season results looked similar to 2016 (note that 28-0 wins reflect forfeits), and the team built in some friendlies in hopes of bolstering the schedule.
“This season we had an eight-week layoff. A lot of teams forfeited and we weren’t getting the games we needed,” Life West coach Jarrod Faul said. “[Then] we had four games in two weeks – two of them in 90-plus degree heat – and that took a toll on our team.”
(left to right) Rose Russell, Catie Benson, Mele Taumoefolau, Aubrey Huey
In May, the Gladiatrix played friendlies against the British Army logistics division at Cal Maritime Academy to a 74-5 win and then traveled to Glendale, Colo., for an 89-5 victory over the Raptors’ DI team.
“We expected it to be a tough game but the way the girls played after eight weeks off – it was amazing rugby,” Faul reflected on the British Army match. “Then the following week when we played Glendale, we raised the bar another level there. It was probably the best performance of the season.
“No disrespect to the other teams, but to be honest, we haven’t been tested this year. It hasn’t been an ideal build-up for us, but it is what it is,” the coach added.
Life West didn’t break stride in Tucson, Ariz., site for the western regional playoffs (aka, national quarterfinals and semifinals). On May 20, the Gladiatrix defeated the Austin Valkyries 85-5.
Life West wing Angelina Lomu with scrumhalf Nikki Kenyon in support
“They came out tough and played us hard in the first 20 minutes, put us under a little bit of pressure,” Faul said of Austin. “It took us a little while to adapt, but once we got in our groove and stuck to the pattern, it got a lot better for us. We started scoring some great team tries.”
Eight players scored tries, and Angelina Lomu and Elizabeth Cairns, back from injury, led with three apiece. Meanwhile, the Utah Vipers put in an equally impressive performance in its quarterfinal, defeating the Tempe Ninjas 81-17 for the berth to the semis against Life West.
“That was a physical encounter for us. They’re a good side, new to the division, and they challenged us in certain areas,” Faul said of the Vipers match. “Even though the scoreline suggested otherwise, it was a tough game.”
Life West prevailed 73-12 and saw Amy Naber and Mata Hingano account for three tries apiece. Foster racked up double-digit conversions on the weekend.
“It was a team effort; everyone stepped up,” Faul said. “The last four games, we’ve been really pleased. They’ve shown glimpses of really attractive rugby … and we can still take it up another notch.
Life West back-three Mirelle Raza
“We’re just going to do what we’ve been doing: Play with an attacking mindset, aim to play fast and expansive, and keep the ball alive as often as possible,” Faul said. “From a defensive perspective, we want to win the collision zone and strive to go beyond the point of contact.”
Life West as a program is young but it has experienced, top-level players driving it. The squad is led by captain Jenn Sever and vice captain Catie Benson, both Eagles. World Cup pool players like Megan Foster (2016 DII national championship MVP) and Jordan Gray (2016 WPL championship MVP) call Life West home. And Danville alumna Hingano spent last weekend in Langford, B.C., Canada, getting her first 7s cap with the USA women.
But the Gladiatrix have loads of talent. Players like Mele Taumoefolau and Tiara Littleton, who are hard and can move. Nikki Kenyon and Foster are good generals in their halfback pairing, and Cam Motley, slotting in from fullback, is one of many dangerous ballcarriers.
“This team that we have now, the core of them are students at Life West, so they will be around for the next four years,” Faul said. “We’ll go from strength to strength each season. And based on our results over the last two seasons, we should continue to attract a lot more players.”
