Village Lions 10, Morris 12
Saturday, October 13, 2007
In the most intense match the Village Lions have played all fall, the women lost 10-12 to Morris, ending the league season 4-1 and heading into regionals next weekend with the #2 Met NY seed. Although the match sits in the "loss" column, players and coaches saw a fluidity and confidence, toward which they had been working all fall, finally come together - losing a little focus in the last eight minutes.
The Lions lit up the scoreboard first, marching downfield and earning a lineout on the Morris 22. Forwards worked a clean ball out to the backs, who ran a 1-2 switch for a gain of a couple meters. Off the subsequent ruck, the Lions engineered a healthy overload in the back line, and the ball grazed at least seven pairs of hands before flanker Trina Lear looped around the end and dove over for the corner try, 5-0.
Approximately 15 minutes later, Morris tied it up with an unconverted try, 5 all into the half.
The Lions surged ahead about 10 minutes into the half. Off a 10-meter lineout, Finlan crashed the ball to the try line, where forwards dug in their boots to keep possession through the ruck. Scrumhalf Becca Asser picked from the base, took a wider angle to the try zone, and dotted down for the go-ahead 5-pointer, 10-5.
With about 10 minutes left, Morris evened up with another try; unfortunately for the Lions, Morris #13 dotted down just off center, and the conversion put Morris up 12-10.
The big concerns going into this match were Morris' weight advantage in the scrum, as well as their commanding #8 and #10 combo, which typically exploits the inside channel. Neither element turned out to be an issue, as the Lions' pack stole several scrums, and defense was ON.
The ball rarely made its way out to the Morris wings thanks to strong tackles from centers, as well as forwards who busted their hump at every breakdown, making each ruck and maul count, and subscribing to what captain Jess Houser precluded kick off with: Everything you do today is a mini battle.
Morris played good defense as well, but continuous phases set up a couple breakaway runs for the Lions, which were wonderfully supported by backs and forwards alike.
Inside center Marne Sussman won Woman of the Match, while winger Laura Detmer was named Silent Force.
Lear T, Asser T.
1. Meg O'Connell, 2. Jess Henck, 3. Kim Siciliano (Sharon Berger), 4. Lisa Dummeyer, 5. Jess Houser, 6. Trina Lear (Emma Fisher), 7. Susan Pellecchia, 8. Meg Collins, 9. Becca Asser, 10. Jackie Finlan, 11. Laura Detmer, 12. Marne Sussman, 13. Krista Buckley, 14. Cris Maisano (Sophie Denis), 15. Alli Hinke (Rabi Whittaker, Amber Fischer).
Columbia University Women brought 6 players for a 12 vs 12, 40-minute match. The Lions had 31 women available for selection this weekend, and everyone saw playing time. Players played for both Lions B and Columbia sides, switching at the half. Rookie Amber Fischer scored two tries on the day, and hooker Katie Hopkins notched a couple conversions. Emma Fisher logged a try as well.
Amber Fischer was named Woman of the Match and scrumhalf Cris Maisano was Silent Force.