Wisconsin Girls Rugby released its 2010 Division I Schedule today. After unveiling its new competition, experts are predicting a fiercly competitive Fall season.
DSHA are a unanimous AP selection as pre-season favorites. After all, they haven't lost a match in the state since 2003 and return some devasting speed all around the pitch, especially in leading scorer Ellie Miller. Plus, they feature a returning 9-10 combination with loads of talent and experience. With a great coaching staff and depth, they will be tough to beat.
That should not mislead observers into thinking the state is short on talent though. The DI competition should be very competitive. For starters, all the Division I teams could field two sides this fall. Plus, there's no avoiding a top team anymore, as each team plays each other once in conference. Expect an absolute battle.
Brookfield, who finished 4th in the country last season, returns a lot of athletes, including USA's Brianna Klein and perennial All-Tournament selection Rachel Santulli at scrumhalf. They should continue to grow from last year's experiences. Now, how will the team respond to the departure of Head Coach Dan Chanen? He guided them to improvement each season he was at the helm.
Vernon, fed by a pool of young players coming up through their B-side and youth program, consistently fields strong, competitive teams. They also had a good spring season. Will a new generation of leaders step up to replace the graduation of key players?
Kettle Moraine may be the "horse" to bet on, as the Knight-
mares return 14 senior starters. Many have been starting since their days as underclassmen. They have a powerful pack that's already fought together through two conference seasons. They are hungry for success. One wonders though if they have enough balance and speed in the backs?
Catholic Memorial will also have been hit hard by graduation. They seem to always have some speed, but the other power teams will certainly be asking questions of their 15. Do they have enough depth to compete with the Bruisers, Harlequins, and Knightmares?
Oak Creek is coming off a good spring season. They've done well to introduce rugby to the southside of Milwaukee, and without their success, one wonders if Cudahy would've gotten off the ground. Now, can they build off their progress in the spring? Built around a core of girls forced to start as freshman three years ago, they may just have grown up as a team. Their numbers were noticeably up last spring. With regular All-Tournament team selection Keyline Vega, a dangerous and speedy runner, they may pull off a surprise or two.
Division I: DSHA, Brookfield, Vernon, Catholic Memorial, Kettle Moraine, Oak Creek
DSHA:09/12 Sunday Brookfield TBD
09/19 Sunday Vernon TBD
09/26 Sunday Kettle Moraine TBD
10/02 Saturday Catholic Memorial Minooka 10:00 am
10/10 Sunday Oak Creek Dretzka 1:00 pm
Brookfield:09/04 Sat Highland Games Waukesha Expo
09/12 Sunday DSHA TBD
09/19 Sunday Oak Creek Minooka 1:00 pm
09/24 Friday Catholic Memorial Minooka 4:30 pm
10/03 Sunday Vernon TBD
10/10 Sunday Kettle Moraine TBD
Catholic Memorial:
09/04 Sat Highland Games Waukesha Expo
09/11 Saturday Oak Creek General Mitchell 3:30 pm
09/17 Friday Kettle Moraine Naga-waukee 4:30 pm
09/24 Friday Brookfield Minooka 4:30 pm
10/02 Saturday DSHA Minooka 10:00 am
10/09 Saturday Vernon Minooka 09:30 am
Kettle Moraine: 09/04 Sat Highland Games Waukesha Expo
09/12 Sunday Vernon Naga-waukee 1:00 pm
09/17 Friday Catholic Memorial Naga-waukee 4:30 pm
09/26 Sunday DSHA TBD
10/03 Sunday Oak Creek General Mitchell 1:00 pm
10/10 Sunday Brookfield TBD
Vernon:09/04 Sat Highland Games Waukesha Expo
09/12 Sunday Kettle Moraine Naga-waukee 1:00 pm
09/19 Sunday DSHA TBD
09/26 Sunday Oak Creek General Mitchell 1:30 pm
10/03 Sunday Brookfield TBD
10/09 Saturday Catholic Memorial Minooka 09:30 am
Oak Creek:
09/04 Sat Highland Games Waukesha Expo
09/11 Saturday Catholic Memorial General Mitchell 3:30 pm
09/19 Sunday Brookfield Minooka? 1:00 pm
09/26 Sunday Vernon General Mitchell 1:30 pm
10/03 Sunday Kettle Moraine General Mitchell 1:00 pm
10/10 Sunday DSHA Dretzka 1:00 pm
PLAYOFFS:
Quarterifinals 10/16- 10/17
Semfinals 10/23-10/24
DI and DII State Championship 10/31 Naga-Waukee Park, Delafield, Wisconsin
While not exactly "WGR" material, the Women's Rugby World Cup does kick off Thursday in England. With a bunch of matches broadcast on the official website, let's roll out some support for our amateur women's players as they take on the world.
