slide 1

NOTE: Only paying subscribers have access to locked content. LEARN MORE.

Merlins’ Mission Complete: Win Week 2

  • 25 Aug 2019
  • 312 Views

2018 nationals / Photo: Jackie Finlan

Glendale traveled to San Diego in Week 2 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) to take on the reigning national champion in its first game of the season. The Merlins were coming off a loss to WPL newcomer Life West, righted itself during the week, and rebounded in the form of a 29-17 win Saturday.

“We weren’t backed into a corner, but we could see the corner,” Glendale head coach Luke Gross said of pressure after the Week 1 loss to Life West. “The league is so competitive, especially the western division, that if you lose a game that can be the difference [for the post-season]. Every bonus point counts and every game is like a championship.

“The emotional state of the team was really good but I think they felt a little beat up mentally,” Gross continued. “We have a highly intellectual group of athletes who sometimes overthinks things. The terminology I use: Sometimes you need a piano pusher as opposed to a piano player. Sometimes you have to be a grunt and hit something and run into something instead of overthink what’s going on. We threw a lot of new stuff at the ladies, and it can make you hesitate. You don’t play on the front foot when you’re asking, ‘Is this going to be right or wrong?’”

Glendale worked on the main things – pattern, defense, tackling – but also rallied around that piano pusher mentality.

“Something we talked about that took San Diego out of their game – it wasn’t planned, just how we trained – was defensive line speed,” Gross said of the pace and aggressive tackling. “They couldn’t get a lot started because we were all over them. That was the biggest thing for us. If you give someone like Life West or San Diego the space and time to do things, you’re in trouble.”

But you also can’t give teams like San Diego opportunities, and that’s how the home side took the first lead of the game. Glendale made a mistake in its end and the Surfers converted that error into a Katy Zackary try and Megan Foster conversion, 7-0.

“Defense was fired up from the kickoff but the attack took a little while to get moving, because it’s a new attack,” Gross said. “By the end of first half the ladies eased into it and started playing comfortably. We have a pattern that’s designed to take advantage of holes and then everything’s out the window. It becomes like pickup basketball at that stage.”

Glendale scored through fullback Madison Slaught before the 15-minute mark and then in quick succession put Slaught and scrumhalf Carly Waters away for tries. Team captain Gabby Cantorna kicked two conversions for the 19-7 lead into the break.

“She took charge,” Gross said of the flyhalf. “She’s not a big talker but does lead by example, and when she does talk, she’s very precise. And that’s what we need.”

Cantorna received ample support from vice captain and hooker Jojo Kitlinski, who also holds a unique role as off-field captain, “someone who embodies our mentality and who we are,” per Gross.

“In the second half, San Diego started finding their rhythm more – it was their first game,” Gross said. “We lost a little shape in the second half, and you could maybe attribute that to the weather and a little fatigue.”

No. 8 Carmen Farmer and Kitlinski scored tries for Glendale in the second half, and San Diego matched those 10 points through Megan Foster, who scored a try, kicked a conversion and added a penalty: 29-17 to Glendale. Gross credited the win to the team effort and everyone’s elevated performance. Standouts included Sam Luther in the second row, Nichole Wanamaker and her hard lines from wing, and Olympian Farmer.

“She’s an other-level athlete and competitor and had a tremendous game,” Gross praised the Player of the Match. “She’s an older athlete at 38 or so but isn’t as beat up as someone who’s been playing for 20 years.

“Our seven, Rachel Ehrecke – in my head I call her, ‘the silent assassin.’ She is everywhere doing everything. Her work rate is incredible,” the coach continued. “Our nine [Carly Waters] had a good game, too. She’s new to the club and has come in and grooved right into the team. She’s really pushed our forwards and is taking charge of things. We really like her out on the field. She adds a lot.”


Ehrecke at 2018 nationals / Photo: Jackie Finlan

Glendale had flown into San Diego Saturday morning, played the game, and then turned right around for flight home that evening. The trip had the feel of a military mission – in and out – but the coach indicated that the players let the accomplishment sink in.

“They were very happy with themselves and the effort they put in and it showed in their posture after the match,” Gross said. “It took pressure off them to have won that. Next weekend we’re off and they let their hair down a bit – and they should have. Rugby is a hard sport and you need to celebrate your wins, especially in a tough game like that.”

On the other side of the WPL West, Life West beat ORSU 55-5 (see photos) and leads the standings with two bonus-point wins. In the WPL East, Twin Cities beat Beantown 22-12 in Boston (but did not get the bonus point), and Atlanta beat New York for the first time since 2015 25-7 in Marietta.

WPL WEEK 3 MATCHES

AUG 31

WEST Berkeley @ Life West (Rob Cain in attendance)

WEST San Diego @ ORSU

EAST Atlanta @ Twin Cities

SEPT 1

EAST Chicago North Shore @ New York

WPL Glendale #SanDiego

Article Categories:
SR CLUB

Leave a Reply