Sussex, WI–Hamilton’s chances weren’t great coming into only their third rugby game against a team, Catholic Memorial, that had finished 4th in Division 1 of Girls National Tournament. The Crusaders jumped out to a quick 36-0 start in the first twenty minutes and never looked back, defeating Hamilton 89-5.
Hamilton’s brightest moment came when Junior Alex Werra, center, forced a bad pass by the Crusader back line. Werra kick the ball forward into space and picked the ball up for a long run that finally put Hamilton on the scoreboard.
Catholic Memorial’s #12 scored four tries for her team, and their #14 scored a hat trick in the first half.
Hamilton showed a lot of improvement against CMH’s premier side almost a month after losing to their JV side 45-0 in a 60-minute, four quarter, pre-season friendly.
Catholic Memorial and Hamilton also played a JV 7s game, which Hamilton won 22-5. Both teams featured mostly new players to the game. The Crusaders went into the half up 5-0, but Hamilton’s quick backs used the open space to their advantage as both Taylor Fryda and Mykayla Pena both scored while Lauren Leonardi added two.
–Cara Bailey left in the 17th minute (ankle), Chloe Miller was subbed in at 27th minute but left in the 70th minute (hand), Sara Michalski left in the 23rd minute (lower back).
–Grace Kurucz, Tarynn Lassiter, Isabelle Leiner, Connie Sebald made their rugby debuts.
–Taylor Fryda started at the scrum half position.
Fantastic Five
- Alex Werra
- She scored a try and had 13 tackles. What a beast!
- Lauren Leonardi
- Leonardi grabbed 11 tackles and a pair of tries in the 7s match.
- Mykayla Pena
- Showed great improvement in her second game, attacking the ball for 11 tackles.
- Taylor Fryda
- Played scrum half for the first time and did so admirably, picked up 7 tackles.
- Hannah Pfersch
- Had nine tackles and helped steady the team in a lopsided match.
Hamilton RFC 