ORSU and Atlanta are back after bye weeks. / Photo: Jackie Finlan
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is about to contest week five of the season, and so there’s familiarity with the teams and their capabilities. But there’s still much to see and no less interest as the competition closes out the first half of the season.
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The first game of the weekend occurs in Glendale, Colo., against ORSU. The hosts have used the opportunity to move some younger players into starting positions – Harvard grad Jenny Kronish at lock and McKenzie Hawkins at inside center – and also sees Boston transfer Deanna Nash debut at fullback. There’s consistency in the front row, and also the 8-9-10 connection, and regular starters in the reserves.
ORSU is traveling light again and currently shows three reserves, but is coming off a bye week to recoup. Collegiate All-American Karissa Postula is back in the lineup as a sub, and Adriana Mendoza and San Juanita Fetuuaho, who spent the bye week with Mexico 7s, resume their spots as fullback and flyhalf, respectively.
An hour later, the Berkeley vs. San Diego match occurs on Treasure Island. The All Blues have made a few changes to the team that fell a conversion short of Glendale last weekend. Jordan Taylor gets the start at loosehead, while Allison Byrne slides back to the second row with Ceara Lafferty. Ros Okpara, who has had a couple of great weeks as an impact sub, pairs with Christina Ramos and Kedra Davis in the loose forwards. The only change in the backs is at flyhalf – Kristen Siano instead of Sam Miller – and there’s also the addition of Collegiate All-American Matilda Kocaj to the reserves. The 20-year-old impressed during club 7s nationals for New York RC.
The Surfers are traveling well, but a different pack from last weekend is taking the field. The team is without captain Kate Zackary; in fact all three loose forwards are different this game. Harvard grad Genevieve Quirion slides from hooker to 7, while last weekend’s locks – Laura Easterling and Julia Buescher – replace the absent Kate Herren and Evi Ashenbrucker at 6 and No. 8, respectively. Although the pack has moved around a little, it’s still dense with experience.
Hunter Griendling is back at 10 after a week off, and the rest of the backs return from last week, just some movement between wings and centers.
Both of these teams are coming off of difficult losses and will be eager for that W heading into the second half of the season. TRB is based in NorCal and regrettably won’t be able to see this match in person.
An hour after that game kicks off (6pm Eastern), New York and Beantown will be dueling in Boston. There is equal incentive to win this game as well. New York is coming off a big loss to Twin Cities in Minnesota and needs to get that win for standings sake. Beantown got a boost from its win in Chicago North Shore and needs to keep building from it. And teams have to win those home games when they can.
Beantown is fielding the exact same pack as last week, personnel wise. Monique Gallant starts at nine, a change from regular Tara Roberts, who is otherwise committed as AIC’s head coach (Yellow Jackets are playing Sacred Heart at 5 p.m. in Springfield, Mass.). Center Amanda Schweitzer isn’t rostered and so wing Kat Phelan slides in to pair with Rosanna Wright in the centers. That frees up a spot for Allison Martin to start #14, and the rest of the back line is the same. Eagle Stacey Bridges also makes a first appearance in the reserves.
New York has made one change in the tight five – Naomi Batzer gets the start at loosehead – and Abigael Yotts and Gio Cruz are back in the starting lineup as flankers. Penn State teammates Gianna Solomon and Tess Feury are typically found in the centers and back three, but the duo will work together in the halfbacks this match. WPL first-years Carolyn Roach and Briana Yerbury also start at outside center and fullback, respectively. The team is missing Jennifer Salomon in the backline and that expertise will be missed.
Atlanta is traveling to Chicago North Shore for a Sunday game and has posted its roster (the host has not). The Harlequins are happy to hit the road with a full roster, which includes plenty of familiar names and four players looking to take the pitch for the Quins for the first time. New York – which has transferred quite a few players this season – alumna Shamira Robles gets the start at outside center, while former Beantown player Kelli Smith is in the reserves. Since last WPL season, Smith has played abroad and spent another residency at ARPTC. Twenty-two-year-old India Perris-Redding is also a WPL rookie.
All eyes will be on Eagle Christiane Pheil, who used to captain Chicago North Shore alongside Lauren Trout and was instrumental in seeing the team into the WPL. Pheil has typically played in the loose forwards. It’s also good to see Bridget Kahele starting scrumhalf, having suffered a game-ending injury two weeks ago against Twin Cities.
Article will update when North Shore publishes its roster.