Tempe first to 2-0 in DI Pacific South / Photo: Rob Adelman (see more)
While fall and split-season leagues have an idea of which clubs are playing well this year, the spring-based clubs are just starting to build momentum into their seasons. League leaders are starting to emerge, and a couple of key matchups await this weekend.
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FLORIDA
Tampa Bay (0-3) forfeited to Ft. Miami (3-0), and Orlando (2-2) defeated Indian River (0-3) 72-0. Inside center Zoe Sanchez had a particularly good day, scoring five of Orlando’s 12 tries. This weekend, Jacksonville (3-0) will host Tampa Bay and Indian River will play Ft. Miami.
PACIFIC SOUTH
Tempe (2-0) is out in front after a 43-10 win over Santa Monica (0-1) and 29-17 victory over Belmont Shore (0-1) last weekend. Inside center Erica Hiddink leads all point scorers with 25 (2T, 6C, PK), while teammates like prop Diem Whitney and flyhalf Heleni Kuma have scored in both games.
San Diego has once again entered a DI side that isn’t eligible for playoffs but offering quality competition in the region. Last Saturday, the Surfers beat Santa Monica 53-5 but really pulled away the final 30 minutes of the game. Wing Kimdinh Tran scored three tries.
In Division II, Old Pueblo and Pasadena are still undefeated at 3-0. The Lightning defeated a visiting Ventura 53-19 and seven players crossed for tries. Lock Ruby Sparks and No. 8 Jessica Szakacs scored twice apiece. Wing Vanessa Gardner, No. 8 Erika Matczenko and reserve Angelica Ramos scored two tries apiece for Pasadena in the team’s 44-10 win over San Luis Obispo.
In Las Vegas’ 70-7 win over San Fernando Valley, Slots flyhalf Danielle Schumacher converted all 10 tries to lead her team with 20 points scored. Reserve Vaimalama Nawaqa scored three tries and flanker Sabrina Mahmud had two.
Santa Barbara looked like it was racing toward its first win of the season, taking a 24-0 halftime lead over Fullerton, until the Wolfpack spent the third quarter evening up the scoreboard. The teams scored once more apiece, and the game ended in a 31-31 tie. Ten different players scored the 10 tries, and both of the teams’ leading scorers – flyhalf Mara Jacobs for Santa Barbara, wing Acacia Person for Fullerton – scored a try and three conversions.
In NORCAL, all eyes were on the Sacramento vs. Life West DII game, and while a good game did evolve, it was technically ruled a forfeit against the Gladiatrix. The Amazons led Life West through the first 30 minutes and at most trailed by two converted tries. The loose forwards were particularly effective, accounting for five tries between Ruth Boginisoko, Tonya Wessman and Ofolangi Mailangi.
SFGG traveled to Santa Rosa for a 48-36 win, which included four lead changes. Outside center Ros Okpara scored four tries to lead her side. This weekend’s game against Sacramento is an important one.
The Austin Valkyries lead both the DI and DII RED RIVER leagues, but they’re getting pushback. The DI team is 2-0 and spent last Saturday holding off Houston Athletic in a 29-17 win. The DII Valkyries remain undefeated after a 20-12 win over the San Antonio Riveters. Stay tuned for an upcoming article out of Austin.
COMING UP … Both the Carolinas and Mid-America DII club leagues will play their first matrix matches of the spring portion of the season. Both competitions have played league games in the fall.