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San Diego during Sept. 30 Berkeley match / Photos: Jackie Finlan
Qualifying for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) semifinals became more difficult this season with the addition of two quality teams that made an immediate impact on the competitive level. For San Diego and Chicago North Shore, it was a make-or-break weekend in round six, as the double-header in Illinois had the potential to boost or end a team’s post-season hopes.
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Both teams entered the weekend 1-2 in the Blue Conference, and trailed Glendale and Berkeley in the standings. Both teams had played the All Blues in their previous matches: San Diego lost 34-15 on the road, and North Shore won 29-17 at home before its bye week.
“Our team definitely felt the pressure going into this double-header weekend,” San Diego inside center Megan Foster added. “Coming from an off game last weekend, we knew we really had to pick it up if we wanted to play well and beat a strong Chicago side not once, but twice in two days.”
And on the road.
“No, we did not prioritize [the travel weekend], however we did encourage the entire squad to come as we knew back-to-back games would be tough on the body,” San Diego coach Jarrod Faul explained. “Fortunately, we were able to come away injury-free after two bruising encounters.”
The weekend also marked the return of two Women’s Rugby World Cup Eagles: flanker Kate Zackary for San Diego, and Christiane Pheil for North Shore. Only a handful of players have been active in the WPL since Ireland: Tiffany Faaee and Alycia Washington for New York; Sylvia Braaten for Twin Cities; and Deven Oswiany, Sam Pankey and Jamila Reinhardt for San Diego.
Foster indicated that captain Liz Trujillo got the team in the right mindset to be mentally switched on from the opening whistle.
“Our organization on both sides of the ball, particularly in the first half, was the best it’s been this season. We played with a real sense of urgency and efficiency,” Faul praised. “First half we played into a strong wind and because of the wind factor we kept the ball in close. Our forwards were phenomenal in getting us over the advantage line, giving us great momentum and allowing our backs to capitalize on valuable front-foot ball.”
After a bit of jockeying in the opening quarter, San Diego ran in four tries in approximately 15 minutes. Foster, Zackary, hooker Talia Carrasquillo and wing Maddie Arenchild all scored, and Foster hit the conversions for a 28-0 halftime lead. Fifteen minutes after the break, Reinhardt added a try that Foster converted, 35-0 the final.
North Shore field captain Pheil and co-captain Lauren Trout saw the weekend as opportunity (read more) – to further adjust to the discipline that the WPL requires, and to immediately test the team’s adaptability the following day.
“We expected to play a tough game on Sunday and certainly got that,” Faul credited North Shore. “Their forwards carried the ball well and really challenged us at the breakdown. They put the heat on us defensively and at times forced some unnecessary passes from us, which resulted in turnovers.”
San Diego got out to 12-point lead courtesy of Reinhardt’s and Zackary’s second tries of the weekend, and Foster’s sixth overall conversion. North Shore wing Gabby Whittinghill kicked a penalty to open up the second half, and 10 minutes later, Pheil scored her first WPL try, 12-8.
Fatigue was always going to be a factor on day two, but San Diego stressed its level of influence in the final quarter.
“The last 20-odd minutes, we played with a player down due to a red card,” Faul explained. “It was a gutsy effort from our ladies to defend a relentless, quality Chicago side.
San Diego was able to hold North Shore for the 12-8 win.
“I think the biggest difference for these two games was that our defense really stepped up this weekend,” Foster reflected. “We were able to make the adjustments in spacing and launch speed that had been lacking the past few games. Once that came together, we were able to execute our offense more efficiently as well. We all had fun playing out there this weekend.”
“We’re eager to take advantage of these next two home games,” North Shore’s Trout looked ahead. “With every game we grow stronger, and we’re ready to see what challenges come next.”
The Surfers now sit in second place in the Blue Conference behind undefeated Glendale, and North Shore in fourth ahead of ORSU. Eight of 10 teams have crossed into the second half of the league season, but no one has secured their spot in the final four (only D.C. has mathematically eliminated itself). Pressure continues to mount, so stay tuned.
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