Photos courtesy Allegheny Rugby Union Facebook
You can absolutely see where the Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU) is taking its women’s game. The geographic union is structuring its select side system, and making sure the teams are connected and visible to the tiers above and below it. Earlier this month, the ARU sent its first Girls’ High School All-Star team to Indiana and has laid the foundation for more progress.
“When we started the program last year we wanted to build something that you could play throughout your career. We had competed in Midwest senior and U24 all-star events, so this was the next step,” ARU Women’s Selects manager Angela Smarto explained. “Our union territory includes all the Buffalo-area women’s senior teams, so we decided to reach out and see if they would be interested in being involved and they jumped at the opportunity.”
The two tryouts in Pittsburgh and Buffalo drew more than 40 players, and those who were unable to attend submitted video for selection consideration. Fourteen players from the Buffalo region (Orchard Park, City Honors) and nine from the Pittsburgh area (Moon Area, North Pitt United, Kiski Valley, Woodland Hills) were named to the all-star team. The players were then required to participate in a t-shirt sales fundraiser and submit proof of passing the World Rugby law quiz before heading to Elkhart, Ind., on June 9.
“We had a great group that came from programs with very hard-working coaches so we tried to compliment what these girls already have by adding another way to look at the field and opposition,” ARU Women’s Select head coach Rebecca Trapp explained on-field strategies. “We worked with an idea that gives the girls multiple options no matter what the defense does and let the girls make the decisions and the communication to execute the options.”
Laura LaVigne (Orchard Park, N.Y.) distinguished herself as an excellent on-field communicator, making her an obvious choice for captain. Her leadership and work rate were key in creating those options that Trapp referenced, and Allegheny posted convincing wins against Illinois and Indy Speed during the Midwest High School All-Star Challenge (which is not a Regional Cup Tournament). Michigan withdrew from the tournament, and so the team only played two games.
“The ability to look for the next play, utilizing multiple teammates from any angle, gave the team many pathways to score. The work rate to support made the points appear to come easy,” Trapp recapped.
The coach praised every player’s performance and indicated that everyone had standout moments.
“Emily Henrich is an amazing rugby player, born and bred for this sport it seems,” Trapp noted the Dartmouth commit. “She came fully prepped, skilled, and fit as a flyhalf, and we took that and played her at flanker as well. Her skills at directing the back line gave us the opportunity to be more creative with the loose forward play. She scored several tries, but never stood in the zone alone; she put others through gaps; and played a great support game.”
Henrich received the BEAR of the day award for being aggressive in every aspect of the game. Hooker Genevieve Cohen (North Pitt United), one of the smallest players on the squad, also drew high praise from Trapp.
“Her work ethic was amazing and her tenacity was just impressive,” the coach lauded. “Besides great set piece work, she rucked almost everything, and by herself held off multiple players at a time. Her counter-rucks provided great opportunities for steals. Her support to ruck insured a great set-up for the next phase. She was always there to work, whether it was to tackle, ruck, or take a quick ball. At times it seemed like she was everywhere.”
The speedy Sophia Mancini (Moon Area) was opportunistic in the open field, intercepting passes and bursting through gaps. First-year Vanessa Wolford, who plays for first-year Woodland Hills, played beyond her years, requiring multiple tacklers and attacking every ruck with the intent to win it. And Mia Riccardi was stellar in the back field, letting hardly anything past her as the last line of defense and injecting pace into the back line.
“Overall, we got great feedback from players, parents, and coaches. Many asked for additional competition for the team, but we know that doing a lot of things isn’t the same thing as doing something well,” Smarto concluded. “We wanted to pilot this idea so we know what we could be capable of for the future. Now that we know there’s strong interest with this age group we can plan for more opportunities in the future.”
ALLEGHENY HS SELECTS
Sam Bautz – Orchard ParkHaley Clancy – North Pitt UnitedGenevieve Cohen – North Pitt UnitedBrooke Crago – Moon AreaEmma Daley – City HonorsAmanda Erie – Orchard ParkSofia Giordano – City HonorsEmily Henrich – Orchard ParkKayla Hoch – Orchard Park (inj)Corrina John – Kiski Valley (did not travel)Laura LaVigne – Orchard ParkAva Mancini – Moon AreaSofia Mancini – Moon AreaRachel McConaghy – Moon AreaKatherine Niver – Orchard ParkMia Riccardi – Orchard ParkKatherine Ryan – City HonorsKate Stiglmeier – City HonorsErin Terwilliger – Orchard ParkMakenna Tuman – North Pitt UnitedCalah Turpin – City HonorsGrace Weber – Orchard ParkVanessa Wolford – Woodland HillsHead Coach: Rebecca TrappAssistant Coaches: SA Smarto, Chloe Wickstrom
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