Match summary: Glendale Women top BYU

Match Overview

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.