Lolo Makaafi / Photos: Marc Lafleur / See more
The Girls’ High School All-Americans (GHSAAs), Powered by Atavus, completed a program first when it played the Canada U18s in a two-game Can-Am Series in Ottawa last week. While the scoreboard didn’t flatter the Americans, captain Cassidy Bargell explained that there were positives to be had.
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A rising senior at Summit High School, the Colorado native has represented the GHSAA 7s and 15s teams as well as the USA Falcons this 2016-17 season. Playing ball in France, Las Vegas, Vancouver and Florida this past year, Bargell put her international experience to good use and captained the squad from fullback.
“I think because we were playing a national team rather than provincial, there was generally more intensity in training because we knew it was going to be a much more difficult test than we’d faced before as a 15s program,” Bargell summarized the team vibe during the run-up to Can-Ams. “Off the pitch this team was special because, compared to previous tours, we bonded more as a whole, forming strong connections. We really became ‘sisters.’”
Flanker-turned-scrumhalf Morgan Freeman in the tackle
The All-Americans’ first test occurred on August 1. Turnovers and lack of possession, Bargell noted, were difference-makers in the 58-12 loss.
“After the first game against Canada, we were focused on how we could be more direct on attack, because the narrow pitch limited opportunities out wide,” Bargell explained. “We wanted to use strong running to strike through and maintain possession through multiple phases.”
With the Women’s Junior All-Americans cheering from the stands – “We wanted to make them proud.” – Bargell was pleased with how her team responded in the rematch on Aug. 5. The GHSAAs entered the break trailing the Canada U18s 10-5, but the home side rallied in the second stanza for a 25-5 victory.
WJAAs cheer on the GHSAAs in Ottawa.
“For the second game we were unable to score on some longer possessions that we had worked hard for, but overall we played a match we were much more proud of.
“I felt I had a good connection with all of the girls, and the growth that everyone – especially some of the newer/younger players – showed throughout the tour was incredible,” Bargell reflected on the assembly as a whole. “Of course Lolo [Makaafi], the A’au twins [Tiara and Tiana] and Eti [Haungatau] impress me with their strength in contact; they’re very fun to play with. Our flanker, Morgan [Freeman], converted into a scrumhalf and worked nicely into her role and was key in organizing with [flyhalf] Alex [DiMarco]. Julia [Riekena] is one of my best friends off the field, so it’s always special when I get to play with her. We learn a lot from each other.”
Haungatau on the loose
Stay tuned for more feedback from GHSAA head coach Farrah Douglas.
The GHSAAs will be back in action shortly, as the team returns to the U18 European 7s Championship as the No. 2 seed out of 12 teams. There is also an eight-team Trophy division featuring developing national teams. Squad details have not been released, but the Americans will compete in Pool B with England, Wales and Russia on Sept. 16-17.
As for the 2017-18 season, a good portion of the GHSAAs who competed in Ottawa will remain in the high school pool. A few are rising collegiate freshmen (read more for their fall 2017 teams) and more still are looking toward rugby colleges for fall 2018. Bargell is included in the latter group and will be looking toward an academically rigorous institution that also offers a quality rugby program. The hope is that these players remain in the pathway, progressing to the junior and collegiate age-grade programs, and build on these international experiences for years to come.
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