// November 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // 15s, Fundraising, News, Schedule
Dear Valks & Valk supporters,
It is a testament to how hard we played, and how hard we partied, that a weekend recap is arriving one day removed from our arrival back in Austin. The Valkyries ended their 2009 season with a very successful, very physical and exhausting weekend in Boston at the Division I National Playoffs.
Saturday — the theme of “when it’s a drought it rains” continued for the Valks as we woke to grey skies and misting rain on the fall colors of New England. Thankful that it was not snowing, the Valks warmed up in preparation for a tough match with Belmont Shore, many of us harboring memories of the 2007 challenge match against this same team. It was clear from the opening kick off, however, that this match would be different. The Valks dominated the first half, routinely pressuring Belmont sideways and backwards in the back line play, forcing many kicks to a sure-handed umbrella, and stealing scrums & lineouts thanks to strong cohesive play (and Francine’s go-go-gadget arms!). Austin scored midway through the half on a nice series of passes in the back line that was finished by a powerful run from rookie Kandis “cookie” Ruiz where she shook off one high tackle and muscled through 2 tacklers for a try. The Valkyries nearly had 2 other tries and felt good going into the halftime break. Belmont rallied to start the second stanza and spent a good 20 minutes knocking on the Valkyries door. Two held up tries (one thanks to literally one hand from Patti Shagam) slowed the attack but eventually Belmont touched one down. However they were unable to convert their kick, whereas Austin had the sure foot of Rachel Kraft, and the score remained 7-5 in the Valks’ favor. Despite the close score the Valks played with great confidence and calm and the result never seemed in doubt. The whistle blew and sent Austin into the winners bracket.
Sunday — due to the bracket structures of this new system, our “reward” for winning on saturday was to play a higher seeded team that had rested on Saturday with a bye seed. Thanks much, USA Rugby, but the Valks heaved their battered bodies onto the pitch sunday morning and steeled themselves for battle once again. Dislocated shoulders were taped together, near-death swine flu symptoms were medicated, bloody noses were
patched, and advil was downed like OJ. We faced the San Diego Surfers, a very balanced team with good size & speed who play a very similar style to Austin with good support and strong fundamentals. The day off proved to be a huge advantage for the Surfers and they put up two quick tries on the more fatigued Valkyries. Once again, however, the Valkyrie defense rose to the occasion, fighting off 5 meter scrums and breakaways, holding the goal line for long stretches before yieding tries. Of particular note, Austin held the Surfers starting line scoreless for the first 30 minutes of the second half despite losing a few players ourselves and shuffling line ups around. While unable to put points on the board, Austin played with smiles on our faces, and kept a positive, forward-moving attitude throughout the game. Every Austin player contributed to the game, to the weekend, and indeed to the whole season. We held our heads high in the hand-slapping line at the end, to be sure. To our players who are retirning (Meg Pace) or may be moving away, it was an incredible game in which to say farewell.
Plus, we then sold raffle tickets like they were going out of style (raising over $2000 for the club) held an incredible court session (ask AJ about her sleeping bag tips) and got everyone onto early flights without trouble. As usual, the Valks brought it, on pitch and off. Be sure to check Facebook soon for action photos, costume photos, and more.
#6 in the nation? Not bad.
Until the end-of-year-party,
–Bags
