Pasadena v Old Pueblo / Photo: Greg Smookler
There are only three teams in the DII Pacific South this year, which means members have a four-game regular season. League-leader Pasadena (2-0) is scrambling to add friendlies to its schedule, not only to fill long gaps of idle time but to also give its depth the opportunity for meaningful minutes.
“That’s why we’re out there working and practicing: To get the chance to play,” said Pasadena assistant coach Greg Smookler.
Last year there were four teams in DII, but then San Fernando Valley dropped down to DIII this year, and no one was tasked with filling the vacancy. Pasadena will play three of its four league games in February, and then a month elapses before its final game on March 21.
“It’s a reality we have to deal with,” Smookler said of the three-team competition. “You want to have opportunities to get newer and less experienced players more game time, which is hard to do when you have so few games. And if you do have a game, it’s so vital [to win] that it’s hard to get all 23 into game, which is something we always try to do. Fortunately people have been O.K. with that so far, but I would understand if people get frustrated getting on the roster but not in the game.”
Smookler comes from the Pasadena men’s team and has been on the women’s team staff since the Royals formed six years ago. The forwards coach has seen the squad ebb and flow in strength, but noted that this year’s team boasts good numbers and a competitive spirit that started building momentum in the fall. Head coach Seamus Fahey emphasized defense during the pre-season and further implemented his vision of game structure and approach, and assistant coach Arturo Preciado focused on the backs.
Pasadena v Las Vegas / Photo: Greg Smookler
“We felt that last year we had trouble with leaving gaps in the defensive line, so we’ve been working on that and improving line speed,” Smookler said. “That only works if everyone does it, so it’s been key that everyone has bought into that.”
Lock Erika Matczenko was once again elected captain and the vocal leader continues to set the example for hard-nosed play. Celine Deneuve moved from flanker to No. 8 this season and has made a big difference.
“Being eight now allows her to get ball in hand more, and she has great speed from that position,” Smookler praised. “It’s hard for the opposition forwards to deal with her speed. She had a very bad injury during last year’s semifinal against OP so her recovery has been remarkable and inspirational for everyone.”
New to Pasadena, April Hernandez Elizondo reinforces the front row and is able to put in a hard 80 minutes. The Livingston sisters, Sonya and Sooni, played for San Fernando Valley up until last year, and they’ve made an indelible impact on the back line. They have very high work rates, on both sides of the ball, and know how to score.
Defending league champion Las Vegas marked the first test of the 2020 season, and Pasadena welcomed the Slots to California for the teams’ season-opener. Pasadena banked a 36-14 win and rolled that lessons into last weekend’s game against Old Pueblo.
“We know OP is a very good team and has very good speed and different movements,” Smookler said. “They’ve always been good cutting back and finding gaps in the defense by changing direction. That’s why we worked on our defensive system and discipline, in order to reduce the number of gaps they could attack.
“Our offense has a lot of basis in the defense,” the coach continued. “We found that defensive pressure produces turnovers, and that our counter-attack is getting us a lot of tries.”
That exact scenario gave wing Sonya Livingston an opportunity to score off a turnover, and Kristine Nakada’s conversion put Pasadena up 7-0 early on. Hooker Molly Shamieh added another first-half try, but overall the Lightning held onto the majority of possession. With two Alex Rath penalties and a try from Patrocinia Duffy, the Tucson team led 13-12 into the break.
During halftime, the call was for an uptick in intensity, increase in line speed and defensive pressure, and pulling out of rucks to reset the defensive line. The team executed and held Old Pueblo to one more Rath penalty. Meanwhile, Deneuve and Angelica Ramos finished off scoring opportunities, and another Nakada conversion afforded a 24-16 win.
“It’s not easy to play an intense attacking defense, but when you win that kind of game, people see how well it can work,” Smookler said. “It’s not a glamorous type of game but it is effective. Most rugby players, but definitely out team, like to hit and being physically aggressive. And so they seek out opportunities to hit somebody.”
Pasadena will now travel to Las Vegas this weekend before wrapping up league on March 21 in Arizona.
“They’re really feeling good about the cohesion that everybody’s playing with, the teamwork, and that our structures are working well,” Smookler said. “We won our first two games but we know we have to go on the road and play these teams again and that they’re both very good teams.”
The playoff structure is to be confirmed but the assumption is the first-place team receives a bye to the final, and the second- and third-place teams play each other for the berth to the title match. Stay tuned.
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