The Glendale Women played their first regular match of the fall season against Chicago Women at Infinity Park.  Chicago got on the board early after a penalty and subsequent kick resulted in a Chicago lineout deep in Raptor territory.  A quick move around the front of the lineout caught the Glendale defense sleeping, and Chicago followed shortly after with a successful penalty kick.  Glendale answered quickly, after Chicago committed a penalty of their own, giving Glendale a quick tap opportunity just at Chicago's 22.  The ball moved quickly through the hands, and was touched down by wing Andrea Prusinski.  Chicago 8, Glendale 5.

As the first half went, each team traded tries, with Chicago's dynamic #8 powering over the line, and Glendale flankers Nicole Delue and Nina Safane connecting on a breakaway that finished with Safane in the tryzone.    The two teams went into the half with Chicago leading 15-10.

At half, Glendale made some adjustments, with #10 Bethany Humphrey and #13 Laura Valcore switching places - the change was just what the Raptors needed, as Valcore's playmaking abilities and Humphrey's pace opened up several attacking opportunities out wide. The back row trio of Delue, Safane, and #8 Taryn Brennan began to attack off the scrums, and #12 Jenna Anderson became making some hard probing runs in the midfield. Humprey split a gap in the defense, and offloaded to Prusinski to out Glendale ahead 17-15 (try converted by prop Yvonne Johnston).   Shortly after Glendale took the lead, replacement wing and rugby newcomer Lindsay Kastanek touched down in the corner after a hard run by Anderson committed the Chicago defense.

Chicago kicked deep to into Glendale's end, and #8 again proved herself as a threat after a clearing kick was caught by the incoming wind.  She secured the kicked ball and touched down in the corner, closing the scoring gap to 22-20.

Glendale brought several fresh players to accelerate the game pace and take advantage of Chicago's growing fatigue.  Prusinski capped of her hat trick for the day with a long run, evading several defenders along the way, and center Anderson neatly pinned her opposite and then outflanked for her first try of the day.   Chicago continued to be a threat in the midfield, but were only able to score one more try.  At the final whistle, the score was Glendale 37, Chicago 25.

"We have several goals heading into this match, and we moved forward on each of them.  Our backs are learning a new offensive system, and so far things are looking good.  We'll continue to work on our point of contact skills and our midfield defense, both of which still need improvement, but we've already made significant progress since last week.   This match was an excellent opportunity for the team to build its depth, as several players where gone for the USA Rugby National All Star Sevens Championships.  Several players stepped up to play new positions,  and we were able to get everyone some more experienced.  Overall I'm extremely pleased.

Next weekend the Raptors will take on local rivals Black Ice at 10am at Cook Park in Denver, Saturday, Sept 4.

The Glendale Raptors 2010 fall season kicked off on Saturday August 21, 2010 with a pre-season scrimmage against cross town rivals Black Ice. While the Raptors were originally slotted to play two scrimmages against Black Ice and Boulder at the ERRFU tournament, Boulder opted out of the event at the last minute.

With just two practices under their belt, the Raptors were eager to play. Black Ice and the Raptors agreed to play 3 25 minute periods, as both teams had plenty of players eager to stretch their legs. The Raptor women took some time so shift from 7s tactics to 15s, as lateral defense and a high number of 50/50 passes saw Black Ice with success penetrating the midfield. Both teams traded tries early, but as the match progressed, Glendale gradually took control. A bit more tenacity at the tackle contest saw Glendale's possession increase, which was just enough to make the difference.

Midway into the second period, Black Ice took advantage of Raptor flanker Nicole Delue's sin bin for shoulder charging, putting a second try in with Glendale down a player. While Black Ice continued to have success penetrating, fullback Claire Gregorich kept the damage to a minimum with her outstanding open field tackling. Center Andrea Prusinski's hard running helped Glendale accelerate the pace of the game, and by the third period the Raptors had taken over the match.

"The purpose of this event was to get everyone back in 15s mode again, and to get some new feet wet. We've got several first time rugby players out this season, and it's encouraging that we can put up a solid win with so many new faces on the pitch. Looking ahead we've quite a bit of work to do, especially around the tackle contest, but the athleticsm and effort of the players leads me to believe we'll have some success once we take are of that".

Final Score Glendale 29, Black Ice 15

The Raptors will be looking to improve on the score line when they play Black Ice in a full 80 minute match in two weeks. This coming weekend, the Raptors host Chicago Women at Infinity Park, while fullback Claire Gregorich and flanker Jessica Lucia represent the West at the USA Rugby National All Star 7s Championships

For their first two home games this season, the Lady Raptors flew under the radar.

Saturday afternoon, Omaha couldn’t identify the range, altitude, direction or speed of the highflying Raptors. After seemingly playing in platform shoes and absorbing losses in their two earlier home games, Glendale found the magical glass slipper transmitting radio waves allowing them to bounce off any object in their path.

Indeed, a ground-based radar system was needed to update the scoreboard as the Lady Raptors scored their first Try in less than a minute. The Raptors put points on the board with such frequency that the score was 58-0 after 30 minutes. A marauding back row and effective speed out wide plus outstanding passing and strong running contributed to the early scoring. By halftime the Ladies were running straight up the field.

The 100-0 halftime and 146-0 final scores set Infinity Park records that likely won’t be duplicated for decades.

The Raptor Men compete in the Division I Playoffs here next weekend (May 8). They next play the Welsh Warriors in a historic match up at Infinity Park on May 29. Rugby action continues with the Men’s Club Championships, June 5-6.