The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is naming its 2024 champion this Saturday, Sept. 14, and it’s a rematch of the 2023 final: Colorado Gray Wolves vs. Berkeley All Blues. The Legacy Cup festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. ET at the Truist Soccer Complex (Browns Summit, N.C.), and the main event kicks off at 2 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available, and those rugby fans who are unable to travel can watch the free livestream on RugbyPass TV.

MAIN INFO

Location: Bryan Park, Truist Soccer Complex, 6105 Townsend Rd., Browns Summit, N.C. 27214
Tickets: $13.50 (group discount) — $25 • Purchase here
Livestream: RugbyPass TV
Schedule (ET):
11:30 a.m. Fan Fest Opens (+ Meet & Greet with USA Eagles Alycia Washington & Jenny Kronish)
2 p.m. Championship: Colorado v Berkeley

It’s been nearly three months since the finalists played each other but last weekend’s semifinals in Madison, Wis., updated everyone’s intel. They both looked sharp and hungry, and for the most part, controlled their respective matches. The coaching staffs have made just a couple of changes to their lineups, so expect mostly the same personnel taking the pitch on Saturday.

Maya Learned at the try line / Photo: @therugbybreakdown

For Colorado, the only change is occurring in the front row, as Maya Learned moves from the bench to the starting role at tighthead prop, and semifinal try-scorer Laura LaVigne takes the Eagle’s spot in the reserves. Berkeley’s back row is shifting a bit. Mikaela Solorzano did not travel to Wisconsin last weekend and is the starting #6 in North Carolina. Tonya Wessman shifts to the other side of the scrum as strong side flanker, while Sierra Watkins moves to the reserves. In the backs, Michelle Hong and Naomi Carrillo swap positions, with the former starting at wing and the latter in the reserves.

Colorado and Berkeley have identical histories in the WPL championships. Both have appeared in seven finals, and both have won three trophies. The All Blues have three extra years in the WPL, as Berkeley is a founding member of the league (est. 2009). The NorCal team featured in the first five championships, winning in 2011 and 2012. Colorado (fka, Glendale, until post-covid) joined in 2012 and made it to that final against the All Blues in its first season, but fell 39-5.

2017 regular season / Photo: @therugbybreakdown

But the Denver-based team found its footing quickly, and from 2014-19, featured in every WPL final. Current Berkeley coach and former Colorado flyhalf Hannah Stolba was named MVP of the 2014 championship. The two teams competed in the western conference, and from 2016-19, Colorado was undefeated against Berkeley. Then covid arrived after the fall 2019 season and the league was dormant until spring 2022. That’s when the shift — for everyone — occurred.

Berkeley had a “we’re back” vibe on the other side of covid, and Colorado was playing in its very first season as the Gray Wolves and without the support of the City of Glendale. It was figuring out how to be a regular club again and re-establishing its identity. In the 2022 national semifinals, Berkeley eliminated Colorado 33-18 before beating Beantown in the championship. In 2023, the All Blues won both regular-season matches, and then the Gray Wolves took the title at home with a 29-24 decision. This year, the teams have split their regular-season games and are on neutral ground for the final.

Shelby Lin / Photo: @therugbybreakdown

All of that is to say that Colorado and Berkeley have a rich history, both against each other, and individually, as they’ve battled ups and downs in the WPL. Now they’re in the final for the fourth time against each other, and it’s going to be a great game.

For more information on the Legacy Cup, how to attend, and where to watch, visit www.womenseliterugby.us/legacycup.