Milwaukee, WI–A sunny day on the shore of Lake Michigan was the setting for Hamilton RFC’s bright future. Eighteen ladies from Templeton Middle School divided into two teams to play at Lakefront 7s, officially becoming the first middle school rugby in the district’s history. The teams both finished with a 1-2 record but showed significant progress in each game.
Team One Game Stories
vs. Green Bay Alayna Restivo scored the first try in team history and set up a score by Macey St. Louis. Hamilton kept the score tied early, but the team struggled to string together tackles and eventually fell behind 7-4. Brooke Price had two tries in the game and became the first Hamilton player to score multiple tries in a game.
vs. Waukesha An experienced Waukesha program was too much to handle for a defense still learning the ropes. The team put some nice things together on offense, but were unable to punch in many tries. Brooke Price had the team’s only try as the team lost 9-1.
vs. Fond du Lac Hamilton’s defense improved enough to force back-to-back “five flag turnovers.” Brooke Price opened the scoring. Macey St. Louis, Haley Meneses, Kenzie Friedrich had a pair of tries each and Alayna Restivo finished the scoring with a pass from Lilly Hagen.
Tries scored by players: Brooke Price (4), Macey St. Louis (3), Alayna Restivo (2), Haley Meneses (2), and Kenzie Friedrich (2).
Team Two Game Stories
vs. Waukesha This group was the first Hamilton team to pull five flags and force a turnover. While facing an established Waukesha program isn’t the easiest first opponent, the team had great moments in a 6-3 loss. A pair of tries were scored by Rachel Rank and Jenna Mendoza scored off a penalty.
vs. Wauwatosa The group was impressive in what was the first win in Hamilton tag history. After securing a turnover with five tags on Wauwatosa’s first possession, Hamilton’s Meghan Rank used the team’s first touch of the ball to put her team ahead. Her sister Rachel Rank added a pair of tries to help keep pace with the Wauwatosa offense. Jenna Mendoza had a great offload after a long run to Alexis Lykins for a score, and the twins connected twice both as Rachel Rank passed to Meghan Rank, including a long offload for the final score, to defeat Wauwatosa 6-4. Meghan Rank became the first Hamilton player to score a hat trick, three tries, in a single game.
vs. Oshkosh Emily Haley weaved around three defenders to open the scoring for Hamilton. Oshkosh score on the next possession, but where answered by a long run from Rachel Rank. Later Rachel Rank set up her sister Meghan as they both worked their way around the Oshkosh defense. Even though the team lost 6-3, they showed they consistently get turnovers by pulling five flags.
Tries scored by players: Rachel Rank (5), Meghan Rank (4), Jenna Mendoza (1), Alexis Lykins (1), Emily Haley (1).
Hamilton RFC 