Photos: Jackie Finlan
Who’s ready to see Ilona Maher in a USA jersey? The Quinnipiac University senior is in the system, has earned accolades aplenty, and made a lasting impression inside Sam Boyd Stadium while helping Scion Rugby Academy to LVI Elite title.
RELATED: Scion Wins LVI • Sirens 24 Deep in Vegas • Support TRB: Become a Patron
Ever since her days at Norwich University – pink scrumcap and all – Maher has drawn attention. She’s been one of the most recognizable players in NIRA, and she celebrated her final season as a Bobcat with a third-straight varsity title and championship MVP award. She’s represented the Women’s Collegiate All-Americans (WCAAs), playing against the Maple Leafs in summer 2016 (the last time the age-grade team competed), and attended the USA 7s camp in early January. This past weekend, she made her third appearance with National Development Academy Scion.
Maher is tall, powerful and mobile, and different teams apply those attributes in different ways. She was a prop at Norwich, inside center at Quinnipiac, and No. 8 for the WCAAs. In 7s, everyone is essentially a back, and the Vegas 7s highlighted her flexibility.
“When people look at me, they see a forward – a second row or an eightman or something. Having the ability to play many positions is just fun,” Maher said. “I definitely would like to pursue both [7s and 15s]. I think 7s is the way the country and the world is going, but I like different things about both. In 7s it’s the speed and agility and having to play for that full 14 minutes.”
Maher was surrounded by incredible athletes on Scion, and standing out wasn’t easy solely because the Sirens played well as a team. Everyone had their highlights moments – from a crunching Dana Meschisi tackle, to a blocked kick (Lauren Rhode) that turned into a quick try (Morgan) – and so did Maher. Notably, she palmed off a former USA 7s Eagle, who was one of if not the best sweeper in the tournament, for a try.
Teammate Saskia Morgan talked about the growth of the team over the three days (read more), but for those uncapped teammates, playing inside Sam Boyd Stadium was a new animal.
“I think the big thing was to play it like it was any other game. Like it was only a game with 30, 50 people on the sideline, and not have anything change up,” Maher said of pre-game mindset. “Sometimes if you have too many people [spectating], then you can start to play like individuals, trying to shine out. You need to stay together and not change up your game plan, even if there’s thousands of people watching.”
Team Quebec was the sharper of the finalists in the first half, led by the always-tough Alexandra Tessier. The Canadians kept play in Scion’s end and held a 7-0 lead early on. Maher got her side into scoring position with a long breakaway that was just tracked down at the five meter. The ball eventually recycled out wide to Morgan, who turned the corner for the score, 7-all into the break.
Again, Maher got her side out of trouble, as Scion was trying to run the ball out of its 22 meter. The Sirens did a great job of holding onto possession and not risking anything in front of their try line, and then Maher broke free to Quebec’s 40 meter. With the pressure relieved, Kimber Rozier put Emily Fulbrook into space for a sprint to the five meter. And shortly afterward, Morgan scored her second, and Rozier kicked her second conversion for the 14-7 win.
“I’ve never done that before,” Maher looked up at the crowd. “I’ve only played around a couple of stands, a few people on the sideline. It was great. The energy is completely different in the stadium. Knowing that people are watching you, it puts a lot of pressure on you but also gets you excited.”
The excitement’s mutual. Maher won’t be playing for Quinnipiac during its three-tournament spring, which frees her up for other rugby opportunities.
“Yes, I was at [USA 7s] camp and I may be heading back out there after a little bit, but right now the focus is to just get my nursing degree and graduate, and then go on from there,” Maher said. “But [future rugby plans] are going to start coming up more and more in conversations, and I’ll figure it out then.”
Maher indicated that she’ll keep working out on her own and play for elite teams like Scion in the meantime. She’s not married to one city or one club after graduation, but she is committed to getting to the national level, 7s or 15s. I think we’re ready for it, too.
#IlonaMaher ScionRugbyAcademy