Atlanta is now 2-1 in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) East Conference after defeating Twin Cities (1-2) 45-22 in Minnesota Saturday. The win not only marked the Harlequins’ first-ever road win against the Amazons but also reinforced that a special season is underway.
Heading into the WPL season, Atlanta knew the first three weeks were going to be tough, as conflicting rugby schedules and/or injuries after a long summer season stressed players’ availability. After losing to Beantown by 10 points on the road, and then beating New York 25-7 at home, the Harlequins sent 17 players to the Midwest this weekend.
“We brought eight forwards, and against the Amazons, that is a huge ask,” Atlanta head coach Ros Chou referenced Twin Cities’ physical prowess. “We knew we had to gut it out. They knew they had each other and had to go until they couldn’t go anymore.”
There was a lot of film review and tactical preparation for the match as well, and Chou indicated that players embrace their roles as students of the game. Atlanta looked to limit the physical showdowns in the breakdown, where Twin Cities’ counter-rucking and poaching skills shine, and focused on quickly moving the ball away from contact.
The Harlequins got on the board first, sending Lisa Jackson in for the first of the lock’s three tries on the day. The home side answered through wing Kaelene Lundstrum, who also scored three tries Saturday, but Atlanta broke up the scores with back-to-back tries from wing Meredith Nelson and Jackson. Corinne Heavner added two conversions for the 19-10 lead at the half.
“I was taken aback because I wasn’t expecting us to be a try ahead at that point – traveling so light and with only eight forwards,” Chou reflected on the halftime chat. “So I got on the specifics. The Zons had the ability to create turnovers because we weren’t taking care of the ball in contact. I made that a point of focus and requested that they be much smarter fighting in contact to create separation, controlling ball placement, and having support players there to limit the threat.”
Nine points is not a comfortable lead, especially with just two subs in the reserves. Scrumhalf Bridget Kahele left early in the second half, bringing on Akilah Guzman, and moving Nelson to the halfback position. Chou lauded “Marcel” for stepping into the crucial position and ultimately directing a pull-away win.
Twin Cities wasn’t without its injuries as well and had to make two front-row substitutions in the first half. It was an unfortunate circumstance for the home side, but for the visitors, it meant that the scrum could be a better-than-expected platform for attack.
“Having only eight forwards, we expected our scrum would be more dominated as we grew tired and had no subs, but with their changes in personnel it became a good platform for us,” Chou said. “Both teams had better handling in general and that meant fewer scrums, which also wasn’t expected. With that, that meant more open play.”
And that’s where Atlanta wants to play. The team did a good job of passing under pressure and keeping the ball alive in the offload.
“They are just playing a very fast pace, and we can transition well off turnovers so that is also helping us,” Chou said. “We can just react pretty quickly and are able to move the ball to the edges – that is really hard to contain.”
Captain Mo Compito finished off two tries in the opening 10 minutes, and Heavner’s extras pushed Atlanta’s lead to 31-10. The Zons scored through Eagle flyhalf Katana Howard and Lundstrum, but the Harlequins maintained a three-score differential throughout the final 40.
Inside center Caitlane Fricia scored her first WPL try, Jackson scored a third try, and Heavner added both conversions for the 45-22 win.
“I go back to the 7s crew and then people who have graduated from a full-time program and Eagle pool players who have kept up their fitness. They were able to keep the pace up really high and fast in the second half,” Chou said. “All 17 players contributed but a special shoutout goes to [Nelson] and the whole forward pack that had to play all 80 minutes.”
An experience like that – a short-handed road win – binds a team, and the Quins are feeling it this season.
“It’s a great mix [of players],” Chou began. “Maggie Craig – she was at Penn State and is one of the more experienced players. One of those eight forwards who came out and did an incredible job distributing on the edges, setting up tries that way. … Maggie texted me after the game saying this is the most fun she’s had playing in a long time, and that’s traveling with 17 people.”
Chou spoke similarly of longtime backs Compito and Sherri Kelly, who might joke about being with the younger generation but also genuinely enjoy their newer teammates.
“Whatever it is this year they have a really great vibe together,” Chou said.
And now Atlanta is over the hump player availability wise. The team knew the first two road games were going to be rough, but the planned travel sheets are full or nearly full, and selections will be tougher going forward.
“Those people who are coming back home or recovering, they’re so excited to be part of it and don’t want to miss out,” Chou said. “They’re starting to get some FOMO because they know the team is having a fun season together. The hope is, moving on with the final two away games, that we can really put our best foot forward with having as many people available as possible.”
New York (1-1) defeated Chicago North Shore (1-1) on the other side of the WPL East. In the West, Life West beat Berkeley 36-20, and San Diego topped ORSU 48-7. In Week 4, Atlanta enjoys a bye weekend, while Twin Cities hosts New York, and North Shore heads to Beantown.
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