Captain Erika Matczenko / Photos: Greg Smookler
Last year was bittersweet for Pasadena. The Royals advanced to the DII Pacific South championship for the first time in its history and looked as if it was going to add the national playoffs to its record books. Pasadena led Old Pueblo from minute 11 through injury time, until a final try from the Lightning afforded the title and nationals berth to the Tucson squad.
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“We’re definitely all motivated by the way last season ended,” Pasadena president Georgia Ringelberg confirmed. “In the five short years the Royals have been a team, last season was the farthest we’ve made it into playoffs and it was a great opportunity and learning experience for each of us individually and as a unit.”
The Royals returned most of its players from last season, but a couple of key absences have seen veterans shift into their vacated positions. Erika Matczenko, who was a rookie last year, is the captain and her new voice is joined by some young and/or new impact players. Ringelberg pointed to Xiuhnel Zein, who graduated from the Pasadena juniors program and “has had no trouble contending with the senior players.” Marist College graduate Molly Shamieh, who joined last year, has already scored five tries and has punched up the pack. Jordan Cano is new to the sport but proving to be a natural, and at the other end of the spectrum are a pair of Pacific South veterans who have realigned with Pasadena and build out the depth.
“We’ve had a change in coaching staff this year with the addition of a new backs coach, Arturo Preciado,” Ringelberg noted additional upgrades. “He’s been with the club for a number of years and has been helping push the backline outside of our comfort zones, which has led to some interesting combinations.”
Thus far Pasadena has defeated Ventura County 29-24, Fullerton 45-5 and San Luis Obispo 44-10. Wing Vanessa Gardner has proven to the best finisher thus far with six tries, but the scoring is well spread between backs and forwards.
“We don’t really focus on the final score of the match,” Ringelberg considered the 3-0 record. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to play to our game plan and structure regardless of the opponent. So, if we are unsuccessful at implementing the fundamental tasks and strategies that we’ve been working on, then the fact that we won is great but we know we still have work to do.”
Old Pueblo is also 3-0 so far and has the standings lead on points differential. The table toppers play next weekend in Pasadena, and last saw each other in December at a tournament.
“I believe the match ended in a tie so we know that next week’s match is going to be tough for both sides,” Ringelberg confirmed.
That match is followed by a crossover match against DI Pacific South Santa Monica. These games were introduced to give the three DI teams extra competition and to push the top half of DII.
“We’re looking forward to that match as an opportunity to really assess our skills going into the back half of the season,” Ringelberg concluded.
Six of the eight teams are idle this weekend, and then the full field is active Feb. 24. For more information on the schedule and standings, click here.
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