Lions Build Toward Next Year’s Nationals

The Chicago Lions celebrated its first season in Division I with a Midwest championship, and has been readying for the eastern regional championships (aka, national quarterfinals) since November. But the build extends farther into the past, and is still being nurtured even as the rugby world stands still with COVID-19.

“The cancelled season hit us hard as we were looking forward to competing for a national title in our first D1 season,” Chicago Lions team captain Kelley Hirt lamented. “But we are not the only ones experiencing the heart break. Every team is going through the same thing together. We are able to use this time to watch old film, work on our individual fitness and connect virtually. When the time comes, we will be ready for the return.”

In 2018-19, the Lions played its first 15s season in DII and promoted itself into DI for fall 2019. The Midwest’s Division I included five teams for a home-and-away regular season and one-off championship.

“Since we started two years ago, the team has been very focused,” Lions forwards captain Jen Kelliher explained. “We’ve had the same goals since D2 and to watch that carry over through the D1 season has been very motivating.

“Thankfully we have great coaches to keep each player focused so the team can achieve its holistic goals,” the front row continued. “We have to put in the work every practice and every day. I think the strength in our foundation for success is the emphasis on individual player responsibility. We focus on getting 1% better every day, and that compounds over time and when we come together. We work our foundation and that intensity carries over into the jolt on game day.”

The Lions and Metropolis Valkyries worked through the league with similar results. The leaders tied 12-12 during their first meeting, and then the Lions won the regular-season rematch in Minnesota 33-5.

“Every match we play provides avenues for improvement, but I think starting the season with a game against a good team was probably the best thing for us,” Kelliher reflected on the early-season draw. “We had been physically preparing for the season but hadn’t been challenged to maintain the mental focus necessary to play the standard of Lions’ rugby we had worked so hard on. During that game we had to overcome the urge to revert to how we played before joining the Lions. We learned to trust the process, trust our new skills, and trust each other.”

“Metropolis is an outstanding team and I think we played a great game,” Hirt added. “We were able to improve on some areas of our attack as well as work on our defensive launch throughout the season that helped in our success down the road. In the end we are just out there trying to better ourselves and play Lions’ rugby.”

During the rematch, the flyhalf noted that the team’s phase play was notably better, and that “we were fluid, connected, patient and able to move the ball despite the muddy conditions.”

The Valkyries (6-1-1) and Lions (7-0-1) advanced to the final on November 9, and an absolute thriller evolved. There were two lead changes and a tied score, and the teams were never more than 10 points away from each other. The Lions held on for a 29-24 win to take home the Midwest title and automatic berth to nationals in the spring.

“For me the value of the win isn’t so much about how close the score ends up. It feels so much more satisfying when we play as we intended to play as a team and not so much rely on athleticism,” Kelliher reflected. “I saw more focus out of my teammates during that match than any others during the season. When things were close or not in our favor, I didn’t see panic. I saw focus and persistence to overcome the challenge. That amount of focus most likely came out because of the stakes of the match, but the way we played and not the title is what holds value for me.”

Kelliher called out teammates like Rachel Grecky, Meg Loomis, Aurora Macek and Gaby Chapin, who bring intensity and leadership to challenging games, but emphasized that it’s the team that ‘s doing big things.

“During the season we do a ‘quote of the week,’ where a player chooses a quote to motivate us for the week,” Kelliher explained. “One of the quotes was, ‘You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.’ Every member of our little Lions’ family contributes in a way that deserves a shout-out, truly.”

That family is leaning on each other now that the Lions won’t be capping the season with a run at nationals. The Midwest is the only region that holds its championship in the fall, so while other teams had hopes for nationals, the Lions already knew they were competing for the title when the season was ended.

“With self-quarantines we’ve had to be there for each other through more virtual avenues, as we know many other teams are doing as well,” Kelliher noted. “Our players’ chat has had an influx of rugby-themed topics and memes, so it’s definitely something that hasn’t left our focus. Everyone is antsy to get back to it.”

Despite the disappointment, the Lions have every right to be proud of their accomplishments not only in the truncated season, but off the pitch and within the larger organization. Kelliher highlighted the immense amount of work that the Lions as a whole pump in youth rugby and the community, and the women’s team is privileged to be a part of it.

“We’ve gone through the typical challenges of starting a new team – establishing our goals, structure, and culture,” Kelliher closed, “but we are lucky to have the resources and support from the administrative volunteers, alumni, and coaches.“

There are so many questions as to what USA rugby will like in the spring, with the national governing body going bankrupt and leagues and regions consolidating efforts. Stay tuned as these competitions and league regroup.