Photo: Jackie Finlan
There is a lot of familiarity in the Northeast Academy squad heading to the Las Vegas Invitational this week. There’s only one newcomer in Justina DeBruzzi, and that connectivity will aid the Wolfpack in the 12-team Women’s Elite 7s competition.
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“We have six players from New York and six players from Boston, which is pretty cool,” Northeast head coach Ryszard Chadwick said of the even representation. “It’s also clear that there’s a good balance of physical players, quick players and playmakers.”
Players hail from Beantown, Boston, New York and Old Blue 7s teams, and all but one player has competed in at least one tournament for the academy. DeBruzzi is from New York RC, which has another five players on the team.
The squad will also get a boost from returning Eagles Sarah Buonopane and Natalie Kosko, who have been very active this 7s cycle. Buonopane traveled to Dubai and Sydney with the USA, and then competed in Brisbane and Okinawa with the Falcons. Kosko played in both Australian fixtures as well as last weekend’s Japan tournament, where she led the representative team with eight tries.
Lisa Roselin returns as captain, and she will be lead the team against Stars (9:20 a.m. PST), Chicago Lions (11:40 a.m.) and Misfits (1:40 p.m.) in Thursday’s pool play matches, all of which occur on Silver Bowl field #14. For more information, visit www.lvirugby.com.
“The opposition doesn’t cross our mind,” Chadwick said. “The whole point of the academy is development, so it doesn’t matter who we play as long as we get to the level we want. If we lose but played well, then I’m O.K. with that. … If we win and don’t play to our potential or individuals don’t play to their potential, then that’s a disappointment.
“Historically we find Vegas a little tough and this is also my first time taking the Northeast women to Vegas, so it will be new for me,” the coach added. “But the confidence level is high and we’re excited for the challenge. Las Vegas is one of those fixtures that the players look forward to. We just need to keep our cool and play what’s in front of us.”
There will be a little extra buzz at the Silver Bowl Complex this year, as the USA Falcons and Aussie Pearls will be playing three of five games outside of the stadium – free to all. Spectators will have the opportunity to see many Rugby World Cup Sevens players in action, and in a much more intimate setting than AT&T Stadium in July.
NORTHEAST ACADEMY @ LVI
Tahlia Brody
Sarah Buonopane
Jess Davis
Justina DeBruzzi
Natalie Kosko
Hannah Mackay
Deanna Nash
Lisa Roselin (c)
Jennifer Salomon
Kristen Siano
Paige Stathopoulos
Claire Stingley
Head coach – Ryszard Chadwick
Assistant coach – Steve Lewis
Managers: Thomas Clark, Amy Beth Skenderian