Archivists from the WGR media outlet collective, Lifelawrugby, unearthed a newspaper clipping commemorating the first rugby match in Wisconsin between two Wisconsin high school girls teams.
The match took place in the Fall of 1998 at Dretzka Park between ... you guessed it ... Divine Savior Holy Angels HS and Catholic Memorial HS.
Excitement and interest in the sport had been growing as DSHA began by traveling around the state to play against college teams. That wasn't a sustainable model. In short time, a group of girls at CMH came together under coach Linda Niemela, from Marquette University. Although the team only lasted two seasons, they left an impression about what could be.
The CMHS girls had to call themselves the Krusaders with a K because the school was initially hesitant to recognize them. A decade later, with DSHA having proven to administrators that the sport was a viable, safe, and life-changing endeavor, CMHS would begin its program as an official school supported entity, a key in its long-term stability. There alone is a lesson for those driving the sport: just because school admin may initially turn down acceptance, does not make school support unattainable. Parent support, interest, and involvement drives school activities.
Back in 1998 these teams played each other twice, with the Krusaders winning the second match at their new found home inside Minooka Park. A rivalry was born.
Pictured below is Erin Voelz, of DSHA, with the ball in both hands. One of the early trailblazers for girls sports in Wisconsin, she went on to play on a partial athletic scholarship at the first NCAA program in the USA at Eastern Illinois University, opening the door to so many others to come after her.
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