WGR Athletes Still Playing

 Huge congratulations and best wishes to Green Bay Banshee Cece Rose representing the USA, in NEW Zealand!    Playing Olympic Sevens for the u18 squad, she’s one of only a few high schoolers in the squad, which also features several college freshman.   The USA continues to do well, going 2-0-1 so far.  Checkout a subscription to The Rugby Breakdown to follow the ladies and other women's’ rugby more closely.

Props as well to Notre Dame University freshman and WGR alumn Lucy Wilson, a freshman, who was armed to the Big Ten all star 7’s tournament squad co petting the winter in the annual NCR 7s all star tournament.  Info here: https://www.ncr.rugby/teams/womens-all-stars

2025 Midwest and National Tournaments

The 2025 Midwest High School Girls Championship Tournament takes place April 26th-27th, 2025 at the Moose Rugby Grounds in Elkhart, Indiana.

Info and contacts can be found at Midwest Youth Rugby.   The longest running regional high school girls-only tournament in the country, continues for it's 26th year.  Last year's results can be found here

The 2025 National (single-school) Girls High School Tournament takes place May 17th-18th, 2025 at the Madison United Rugby Complex in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.  This will overlap with the Friday-Saturday club event at the same location.  The combined event was such a success with attendees, fans and scouts, that both 15's events will once again convene centrally on the same weekend.

For more information on:

• Madison, the facility, and logistics contact Brad Dufek: murugbydirector@gmail.com

• Single-school nationals, contact John Klein: jklein@sdsm.k12.wi.us

• High school club nationals, contact Chris Kovac: chris.kovac1@gmail.com

WGR & NCAA Wrap Up 2024

 As NCAA women's rugby moves into their playoffs, a quick overview of WGR alumni experiencing the rigors of varsity collegiate competition is worthy of a few shout outs.

--Melanie Sanchez (DSHA '24) was named a captain of the Quinnipiac Women's NCAA D1 team, this fall.  As a freshman, this stands out as truly remarkable, to be so respected that on a roster full of varsity collegiate women, a freshman was named to help lead the program.

--Scout Spadoni (Stevens Point Area HS '24) had a stellar fall, scoring multiple tries for Frostburg St, the new NCAA D2 program that has won several matches already.  Every time she's seen playing or interviewed she appears to have a smile on her face.  With four tries in her last match it’s easy to understand why.

--Yesenia Morales (DSHA '23) and the Cadets of the United States Military Academy qualified for the final four team playoffs in NCAA Division One.  A few days later local Milwaukee Public School students will be able to see her speak to students on Nov 26th at South Milwaukee HS.  

--Alyssa Cunningham (CMHS '21) wrapped up a stellar career at NCAA D1 Sacred Heart University this past weekend.  The team captain helped lead SHU to their program's first-ever victory over rival Quinnipiac University Women's Rugby with a 43-33 victory.  Cunningham scored two tries, kicked two conversions, and kicked a penalty goal (three points) to pace SHU with 17 points.  This match was a huge hurdle for the pioneers to leap over after several very tight matches in recent years.

--Congrats to all the other NCAA student-athletes from WGR!

Club Rugby Notes:

--A strong crew of four DSHA and a Hamilton HS alumni helped a young Marquette University women's team knock off ranked UW-Eau Claire in the first round of D2 playoffs up in Oshkosh last weekend.

     With Dashers at the key 9 and 10 spots, the veteran WGR grads guided the Golden Eagles' playmaking direction, leading to strong overall team play.  The Golden Eagles went on to battle in the final, a close 0-7 loss to the University of Illinois.  The win means Marquette advances to another round of playoffs.  The young team is ascending and improving with each match they play.

--Elizabeth Pfannerstill (CMHS '21) is wrapping up her career with the UW-Platteville D-3 powerhouse (used to be small-college division).  UWP dominated in both their wins in the D3 playoffs held in Oshkosh over the weekend.

State Tournament and Final Standings 2024 WGR

Results from the 2024 WGR State Championship Tournament:

Championship:  Divine Savior Holy Angels HS  21 Catholic Memorial HS 5

3rd Place:  Green Bay 13 Hamilton HS 12

5th Place: DSHA HS jv 45 Bruisers 20

7th Place:  Fox Cities 20  Stevens Point Area HS 75

Final WGR Standings

1.DSHA (5-0)

2.Catholic Memorial (5-1)

3.Green Bay (3-2)

4.Hamilton (3-3)

5.DSHA jv (3-3)

6.Bruisers (3-3)

7.Fox Cities (2-3)

8. SPASH (1-4)

9.Madison (0-4)

Championship Recap:

The championship match added another great chapter to a storied rivalry.   The record setting crowd at the 4,900 seat stadium at Hart Park for the first championship in Wauwatosa were not disappointed.

The match started at a furious pace as CMH caught the opening kickoff and proceeded to run through 21 consecutive phases of hard charging runs from sideline to sideline.  It was a tense opening eight minutes as CMH lost ground in attack but maintained possession.  The Crusaders executed at a high level with numerous under-pressure passes.  

     DSHA matched the CMHS attack with skill and power in the the tackle throughout the opening salvo.  Defenders from one sideline to the other made tackles.  This was the story of an often deadlocked first half.

     A CMH turnover at the 45 led to a DSHA counter attacking kick ahead, which was knocked on by the receiving Crusaders.  The resulting DSHA scrum at the 30 meter line led to DSHA's moment to run their attack for an extended sequence.  Much as DS had done, CMH's tackling across the field was excellent. This led to one of the big moments of the first half:

     Playing with advantage, DSHA spun the ball wide.  A great play from the CMH wing found her intercepting the final pass to the wing as she blitzed in from the edge.  The flying Crusader raced 80 meters for what looked at first to be an incredible length of the field try to capture the lead, with a DSHA wing tight on her heels.  

     The roar of the large crowd kept many players and fans from hearing the whistle.  

     The play was called back due to the advantage in DSHA's favor.  The perplexed blue crowd voiced their displeasure.  DSHA seized the momentum from the swing in action and scored a quick try in three phases off the penalty.  With a well-placed conversion kick, DSHA held a tenuous 7-0 lead going into halftime.     In the first half, other than the intercept try, CMH had only crossed into DSHA territory briefly.   That would change in the second half.

     With the tension of a 7-0 game building, the two stellar squads kicked off the second half with renewed intensity.   Both sides exchanged attacking sequences as play stayed within the middle of the field for 15 minutes.  DSHA found success with their midfielders, especially one of their centers slicing through for two line breaks in the second half.   After a 30meter break from a DSHA center, DSHA finished off the run of play for their second try and a 14-0 lead.  

     CMH responded by capturing the kickoff for excellent attacking field position.  A half break from CMH's #10 gave her a chance at the line, only for her to be tackled dangerously by a DSHA cover defender over-extending herself to stop the break.   The yellow card to a DSHA forward, with 8 minutes remaining, left DSHA to play down a player for the remainder of the match.  CMHS executed a quick strike in the midfield to score shortly after the yellow card.  

     A tense 14-5 match continued.  DSHA responded with another break from their centers, who pinned the final defender, to send the DSHA fullback in for her third try of the evening and a 21-5 lead.  DSHA would end the night perfect on kick conversions, giving them a little extra comfort in their lead.  With only moments left, CMH attempted to score a final try before a knock-on off a scrum ended the titanic tussle.

     Exhausted players from both sides hugged, cried, and celebrated.  Of particular note, was the exchange of player of the match from team captains with their opponents, delivered with class and sincerity after a great game.

Tournament Notes:

-The Madison Furies were able to play an exhibition match at noon against JV players from Hamilton HS.  It was great to see all teams represented at the state tournament, which is really a celebration of rugby from across the state.  Nine girls programs were able to compete at the event.

-Kudos to the teams that drove from all areas of the state and a variety of significant distances to compete at such a great facility:

Green Bay, Stevens Points, Madison, and Fox Cities especially.

-9 different teams have lifted the third place trophy in WGR State Tournament history.  Green Bay added to this unique history with their first state medal.

-This was Catholic Memorial's 10th Runner-up finish in the 17 years of a WGR State Tournament.  

-This is DSHA's 14th State Championship out of 17 finals.  They've competed in every state final.  Catholic Memorial is the only other team to win championships (2015,2017, 2021).  Including championships before the current format, this was DSHA’s 20th overall state title.

-DSHA reloaded with 12 new starters this fall.  While a dynasty program, they are also a young side that has a ton of potential going forward.  Their JV side showed significant growth, as young teams tend to do, winning both their playoffs.

Historical State Tournament Records:

WGR State Championships (15's, Fall)

Year                1^st                                2^nd                   3^rd

2024                DSHA                         CMHS             Green Bay

2023                DSHA                         CMHS             DSHA jv

2022                DSHA                         Hamilton HS   Brookfield/Kettle M.

2021                Catholic Memorial      DSHA             Hamilton HS

2020                -------------------------COVID WON-------------------------

2019                DSHA                         CMHS             Kettle Moraine

2018                DSHA                         CMHS             Hamilton HS

2017                Catholic Memorial      DSHA              Brookfield

2016                DSHA                         CMHS             Oak Creek HS
2015                Catholic Memorial      DSHA              Brookfield

2014                DSHA                         CMHS             Brookfield

2013                DSHA                         CMHS             Kettle M.

2012                DSHA                         CMHS             Kettle M.

2011                DSHA                         CMHS             Kettle M.

2010                DSHA                         Kettle M.         Brookfield

2009                DSHA                         Brookfield        Vernon

2008                DSHA                         CMHS             Vernon

2007                DSHA                         Vernon             CMHS      1^st State Tourney

2006                DSHA                         Vernon

2005                DSHA                         Vernon

2004                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine

2003                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine Northshore

2002                Kettle Moraine            DSHA              Northshore

2001                DSHA                         Northshore       Kettle Moraine

2000                DSHA                         Kettle Moraine

WGR State Tournament 2024

 The schedule is set.  All matches played at Hart Park in Wauwatosa.

130pm 7th Place Match:

   Fox Cities 20 v Stevens Point Area HS 75

   SPASH get their first win of the season to take 7th

3pm 5th Place Match:

   DSHA jv 45 v. Bruisers 24

   DS avenges their close loss earlier in the season to end on a high note.

430pm 3rd Place Match

   Hamilton HS  12 v Green Bay 13

    Green Bay finishes with a bronze medal for the first time in program history.

6pm Championship Match

   Divine Savior Holy Angels 21 v Catholic Memorial 5

   After a 7-0 halftime score, the tight match went DSHA's way in the last 15 minutes.  

Playoff Scores

 Semifinals

CMH 38 Green Bay 0 final

     17-0 at half

DSHA  43  Hamilton 5  final

      12-0 at half

Consolation

DS jv 55 Fox Cities 34 final

SPASH 20 Bruisers 48 

State Championship Sunday Oct 27th at Hart Park

For the 12th time in the last 13 years Catholic Memorial HS will contest the state finals.   This great rivalry continues.  DSHA has contested every state final  in league history, a run of 17 straight years:  all under head coach John Klein.

For third place Hamilton HS faces Green Bay.   The Banshees are vying for their highest league finish in their young history.

Stay tuned for more previews. Unlike many high school sports, the state finals feature every team in the state competing for their final placing through 11th place.  It’s another opportunity for kids to participate and compete.

The consolation matches feature:

5th Place Final:

DSHA jv vs Bruisers (a rematch of a 22-21 game earlier this fall)

7th Place Final:

Fox Cities v SPASH

*Organizers are also working to find an exhibition match for the Madison Furies.

Anticipated Playoff Pairings

 Fans and media alike are anticipating the WGR playoffs  next weekend.   While unofficial, these are the anticipated pairing based on the unofficial standing s at LLR:

Championship Tournament Oct 19th at Cottage Grove

DSHA HS  v Hamilton HS

Catholic Memorial HS v Green Bay

Consolation Tournament Oct 19th at Cottage Grove

Bruisers v SPASH

DSHA jv v Fox Cities

A league sources has CONFIRMED PLAYOFF MATCH TIMES and Opponents:

The schedule for this playoff weekend is:

9:00am - Field 1 -  Fox Cities (Oliver 3) vs DSHA B (Noe 4)

9:00am - Field 2 - CMH (Noe 1) vs Green Bay (Oliver 2)

11:00am - Field 2 - DSHA A (Oliver 1) vs Hamilton (Noe 2)

1:00pm - Field 2 - Bruisers (Noe 3) vs SPASH (Oliver 4)

WGR 2024 State Tournament Gear (Sale Closes Oct 17th)

 The 2024 WGR State Tournament begins next weekend.  Official tournament gear may be purchased online and orders are due Oct 17th.  Supporters are able to pick up their items at the State Finals on Sunday Oct 27th at Hart Park in Wauwatosa.

Check it out-prices are great.   WGR State Tournament Online Store (click here)

Thank you so much for supporting our league and state tournament.

Regular Season Concludes

 Looking ahead to the final week of the 2024 regular season?  Here we go.  Stay tuned for some possible changes with the Fox Cities v DSHA matches.  Fox Cities is navigating Homecoming and availability so organizers are looking to accommodate the new team with a possible shift to an earlier kickoff.  Check back for confirmed game times.  

The Semifinal playoffs take place Oct 19th at the Madison United Rugby Complex in Cottage Grove.  The top notch facility has hosted multiple championship level events including last year's high school national tournament.  Game times are expected to be at 9am, 11am, and 1pm

Week 5 Saturday Oct 12th

DSHA jv  0  Hamilton 47

     945am Nashotah Park (updated)

DSHA 138 Fox Cities 0

      11am Nashotah Park (updated)

Madison Furies 0 Catholic Memorial HS 83

   10am Minooka Park

Bye: Bruisers and SPASH

WGR Playoffs Saturday Oct 19th at Madison United Rugby Complex in Cottage Grove.

9am      

11am

1pm   

  -----2024 CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA 3-0

Green Bay 2-1

Fox Cities 1-2

SPASH 0-3

The Tony Oliver Conference

Catholic Memorial  4-0

Hamilton 3-1

Bruisers 2-2

DSHA jv 1-3

Madison 0-4

WGR Week 4 Schedule & Notes

It's time for October rugby and the last two weeks of the Wisconsin Girls Rugby (WGR) regular season.

The Bruisers have a shot to create a three way tie for their conference lead.  A three way tie negates head to head tie breakers.   Things get interesting then.  The Bruisers have a bye next week on top of this, so they’ll be all-in with their last match before playoffs.  One of these two-win teams will be in the second tier playoffs.  

Week 4 Saturday Oct 5th

Catholic Memorial HS 61 @ Bruisers  17

         10am Nashotah

Stevens Point Area HS 0. Green Bay 79

          10am Barney Williams Field

DSHA jv  24 @ Madison Furies 7

            10am Cottage Grove

Bye: Fox Cities and Hamilton HS

Looking ahead to the final week of the regular season?  Here we go:

Week 5 Saturday Oct 12th

DSHA jv @ Hamilton 10am Nashotah Park

DSHA @ Fox Cities 12pm Nashotah Park

Madison Furies @ Catholic Memorial HS 10am Minooka Park

Bye: Bruisers and SPASH

  -----2024 CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA 2-0

Green Bay 2-1

Fox Cities 1-1

SPASH 0-3

The Tony Oliver Conference*

Catholic Memorial  3-0

Hamilton 2-1 (holds tie breaker over Bruisers)

Bruisers 2-2

DSHA jv 1-2

Madison 0-3

WGR Week 3 Scores

 Fox Cities 44 SPASH 30

     *The Iron Maiden’s score a famous first-ever victory in their first Fall 15s Conference season.

Bruisers 22 DSHA jv 21

Hamilton 46 Madison 0

  -----CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA 2-0

Green Bay 1-1

Fox Cities 1-1

SPASH 0-2

The Tony Oliver Conference*

Catholic Memorial  2-0

Hamilton 2-1

Bruisers 2-1

DSHA jv 0-2

Madison 0-2

WGR Conference Week 3

After two weeks of conference play, play shifts towards mid-season form.  To replace Greenfield HS in the Jeff Noe Conference, coaches and league administrators have been working on developmental matches with our friends to the north and south. 

   Minnesota, which used to have a robust 15's girls rugby league, drives down to Milwaukee this Saturday for a developmental non-conference matchup with DSHA.   It's encouraging to see coaches willing to do this.  Minnesota Youth Rugby has been struggling with numbers since before Covid, going from 15's down to 10s and 7s.   The first ever Wisconsin girls high school matches occurred in 1996 when a girls team from Wayzata HS, MN drove down to play DSHA.  Wayzata, MN is the only other team besides CMH or DSHA to win the Midwest Girls HS Championship.  Perhaps it's serendipitous that now Minnesota drives down in an attempt to get 15's rugby played again up north.  DSHA is hoping to build more developmental relationships with programs from nearby Chicago this fall.  With a couple single school Chicago teams having played at Nationals last spring, these programs share some similar goals and experiences.  Stay tuned, hopefully, for more girls rugby development and opportunities to play.  

Update:  As the Scotsman Robert Burns said, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray"  Minnesota Youth Girls Rugby was not able to get enough players to travel this weekend and as a result the scrimmage has been put on hold.   Cheers to organizers for their enthusiasm  In the meantime, we'll see if the Green Bay league match is able to be rescheduled, seeing as each team has a bye week in addition to the hole in schedules from Greenfield stepping down from competitive play. 

  -----CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA 2-0

Green Bay 1-1

SPASH 0-1

Fox Cities 0-1

The Tony Oliver Conference*

Catholic Memorial  2-0

Hamilton 1-1 (holds tie breaker over Bruisers)

Bruisers 1-1

DSHA jv 0-1

Madison 0-1

Week 3 Saturday Sept 28th

Bruisers @ DSHA JV 930am Brown Deer Park

Hamilton HS @ Madison Furies 10am Cottage Grove

Stevens Point Area HS @ Fox Cities 10am Greenville Lions Park

Bye:  Green Bay and CMH

WGR Week 2 Scores

 The second weekend of conference play kicks off Saturday morning.   The Hamilton vs CMH game will give everyone a good idea of the conference title contenders. 

Week Two:

Hamilton 5 at CMH 36. 2pm Minooka Park

Bruisers 41 at Madison 5  10am Nashotah Park

DSHA  118 at SPASH 0 10am 600 Maria Dr

Fox Cities 0 at Green Bay 92 10am Barney Williams Park

   -----CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA 2-0

Green Bay 1-1

SPASH 0-1

Fox Cities 0-1

The Tony Oliver Conference*

Catholic Memorial  2-0

Hamilton 1-1 (holds tie breaker over Bruisers)

Bruisers 1-1

DSHA jv 0-1

Madison 0-1

Week 3 Saturday Sept 28th

Minnesota @ DSHA 1130am Brown Deer Park*

   Non conference match.  

Bruisers @ DSHA JV 930am Brown Deer Park

Hamilton HS @ Madison Furies 10am Cottage Grove

Stevens Point Area HS @ Fox Cities 10am Greenville Lions Park

News & Notes

 A busy week for WGR alumni, as their contributions can be seen all over in NCAA rugby.  

Sacred Heart University's Aly Cunningham (Catholic Memorial '21), pictured above, scored 15 of her team's 20 points in their big NCAA Division 1 matchup against Harvard University, the Defending D1 NCAA Champions.  She scored a try, two penalty kicks, and two conversion kicks.  Harvard won with a late try 25-20.

Army (NCAA D1) faces Oxford University women's rugby next Wednesday as part of their USA Fall International Tour.   DSHA's Yesenia Morales (DS '23) has started at 13 for the Cadets since her arrival, while also attending a USA camp this summer.   

Starting lock Maddie Kosmoski (Catholic Memorial '23) scored a try in Bowdoin University's (NCAA D3) victory over New Haven.  Video of Maddie's try below:

Video Here

In addition, while Lander University has moved down from NCAA to the NCR Division, freshman Grace Beatty's (Hamilton HS '24) team made their debut, defeating the women's club team at South Carolina handily.  

WGR Week 2

 A full slate of matches appears on this week’s schedule for WGR while league admin work to figure out any adjustments needed with the announcement that Greenfield will not field a competitive team this fall.  In a positive development, a dozen players from the Monona Grove girls team are linking up with the Furies to field a competitive 15s side.  They’ll debut this week against the Bruisers.   Best of luck to the Fox Cities. Girls team as they make their debut against Green Bay.

DSHA jv has a bye week.   

Week Two:

Hamilton (1-0) at CMH (1-0) 10am Minooka Park

Bruisers (0-1) at Madison (0-0) 10am Nashotah Park

DSHA (1-0) at SPASH (1-0) 10am 600 Maria Dr

Fox Cities (0-0) at Green Bay (0-1) 10am Barney Williams Park

Week 1 WGR & League Notes

After weeks of practices and preparation, the WGR Conference season begins this upcoming Saturday.  Madison and Fox Cities have a bye-week.  Each week, one team from each conference has a bye.

Week One: (League Opening Weekend) Saturday Sept 14th

Green Bay @ DSHA Brown Deer Park*

  *Green Bay has forfeited their debut match.

Catholic Memorial  39 @ DSHA JV 0

      5-0 at half.

      11am Brown Deer Park

Hamilton 50 @ Bruisers 7

         10am Nashotah Park

Greenfield @Stevens Point^

  ^GF is unable to field a competitive team this fall.  Stay tuned for an updated schedule and decisions from WGR leadership.  It is unclear at this time if GF matches will be scored forfeits. 

   

-----CONFERENCE STANDINGS-----

The Jeff Noe Conference

DSHA (1-0)

Green Bay (0-1)

Fox Cities

Greenfield

Stevens Point

The Tony Oliver Conference*

Catholic Memorial  1-0 

Hamilton 1-0

Bruisers 0-1

DSHA jv 0-1

Madison

*Named in honor of Tony Oliver, the founding coach of both Oak Creek HS girls rugby and Homestead girls rugby who was tragically killed while bicycle riding.

News & Notes:

Last weekend's NIRA NCAA matches set a new record for WGR alumni participating.  DSHA alone had five girls playing in NIRA matches, a high for their program.  

Melanie Sanchez, #8 at Quinnipiac, was awarded a game ball in their tie against Harvard.

Megan Finerty started at #2 in Navy's 59-5 victory over D2 Frostburg St (a newer start-up program).  Scout Spadoni of SPASH had a strong game for Frostburg St as the opposition number eight, scoring their lone try on the day.

The new Greenfield team makes their league debut with a long road trip up to Stevens Point. What they don't know yet is that SPASH's program are always GREAT hosts, laying out a most hospitable spread of food & hospitality for their guests at every home match.  It should be a special start to their rugby experience and everyone is excited for them to experience the camaraderie and tradition of WGR.

The Green Bay Banshees have made the difficult decision to not play their first match, forfeiting the result.

WGR State Finals Move to Hart Park in Wauwatosa 2024

 

The 2024 Wisconsin Girls Rugby State Finals shift their State Championship Tournament to Hart Park in downtown Wauwatosa.   As home to semi pro soccer, multiple high school football programs, and lacrosse teams, Hart Park offers a 4,900 capacity facility with lights, concessions, restrooms, and the parking to handle large athletic events.  This is a high-profile venue.   With an artificial turf surface and wider playing area, expect the games to be played at a furious pace.  (the staff at LLR predict scoring will be up at all matches at the state finals this year).  

With a great variety of restaurants and bars within short walking distance, it should add even more to the fun of the full-day tournament.  There are over 30 establishments within a two mile radius.

The State Finals will be held Sunday Oct 27th, 2024.

WGR 2024 Fall Girls HS Rugby League Schedule

The 2024 Fall Conference 15's season in Wisconsin Girls Rugby is one of great transition into a new era.   

Coming in are new programs:  Greenfield HS in Milwaukee and Fox Cities from the Fox River Valley area.

Moving on are some long-term coaches like the retired Boris Turcinovic (assistant coach at DSHA).

Every year sees many great kids and standouts graduate, but this past May's graduation includes an unusually significant number of standouts.

Three-time all state players like the veteran 9-10-12 combination at DSHA of Walsh, Coffu, and Okeef have all graduated. It seemed like they had been starting in league play forever.  Three time all state flyhalf Lucy Wilson has also graduated from CMH and is moving on to Notre Dame University.  

The tall #8 Melanie Sanchez has moved on to Quinnipiac University where she started in their NIRA opener on 9/31 against Brown.

Gone as well is one of the faces of the SPASH program in Stevens Point as standout Scout Spadoni, a two-time all stater, has moved on to college rugby too, joining the fast-growing Frostburg St.  She started at number eight as well in a notable two-try debut.

Visible players like scrumhalf Grace Beatty from Hamilton (headed to Lander U.) and Cece Stowers (Davenport) are moving on to the next level.

In their place are many unknowns.  New combos at flyhalf and tight head prop and 15 are scattered throughout the league.  In their place are 19 juniors form DSHA, many of whom move up from JV.  In the place of graduates and standouts are talented youth from flag programs at Hamilton HS and Madison and Green Bay who've moved up to contact rugby.  In their place is a lot of excitement and hope.  It's anyone's year.

Week One: (League Opening Weekend) Saturday Sept 14th

Green Bay @ DSHA 10am Brown Deer Park

Catholic Memorial @ DSHA JV 12pm Brown Deer Park

Hamilton @ Bruisers 10am Nashotah Park

Greenfield @Stevens Point 

Week 2 Saturday Sept 21st

Hamilton HS @ Catholic Memorial HS  10am  Minooka Park

Bruisers @ Madison Furies  10am  Nashotah Park

DSHA @ Stevens Point Area HS 10am  600 Maria Drive

Fox Cities @ Green Bay

Week 3 Saturday Sept 28th

Greenfield HS @ DSHA 930am  Brown Deer Park

Bruisers @ DSHA JV 1045am Brown Deer Park

Hamilton HS @ Madison Furies 10am Cottage Grove

Stevens Point Area HS @ Fox Cities 10am Greenville Lions Park

Week 4 Saturday Oct 5th

Catholic Memorial HS @ Bruisers  10am Nashotah

Stevens Point Area HS @ Green Bay 10am Barney Williams Field

Greenfield HS @ Fox Cities 10am Greenville Lions Park

DSHA jv @ Madison Furies 10am Cottage Grove

Week 5 Saturday Oct 12th

DSHA jv @ Hamilton 10am Nashotah Park

DSHA @ Fox Cities 12pm Nashotah Park

Madison Furies @ Catholic Memorial HS 10am Minooka Park

Green Bay @ Greenfield 10am TBD

Women's Premier League Semifinals Saturday Sept 7th at Cottage Grove 2024

 The Women's Premier League are holding their semifinal matches at Cottage Grove on Sept. 7th, 2024.

(Editor's Comment: It seems like every major rugby competition except for NCAA women and the National Teams are holding their playoffs at the all-grass Madison United Complex.  It's well-earned as the club house, facility, and staff have been outstanding in every way.  We know we're a little biased but it seems like everyone is jumping on board and it's raising the quality standards of the game).

The matches will be held at 1pm and 3pm, CST.  The WPL details can be found here as they get determined in greater detail.

A comprehensive weekend info sheet can be found here.  Interested volunteers should visit this page!  Organizers are also interested in volunteer ball boys and girls as well as interested flag rugby participants to play exhibition matches at halftime of each match.

In addition, there will be a MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CLINIC held from 10am-12pm that day. Click here to sign up.

Kudos to MUR and the women's rugby leaders of Wisconsin for putting this together.  The timing is perfect as Monona Grove expands it's flag rugby program.  It appears inevitable that the Madison area will be starting a second high school girls contact team in the very near future.  In fact, the Monona Grove Silver Sprinters were frequent champions of multiple flag rugby divisions at multiple flag rugby tournaments this summer.  If their numbers and development continue, we could be seeing more high school participants in the Madison area in the very near future.  This is also on the heels of a new girls high school team joining the WGR Fall Conference competition from Fox Cities.  

Wisconsin Girls Rugby Fall 2024 League Play

 The 2024 WGR Fall League starts up in a few weeks.

Of note is the inclusion of two new girls teams:

The Fox Cities Iron Maidens, who have been building through a youth flag program for several years, will play out of Greenville, Wisconsin north of Oshkosh.  They have a solid foundation from years of development in the Fox Cities flag rugby program which competes each summer in Wisconsin Flag Rugby.

In addition, Greendale HS is starting a school-supported team.  Sadly, this team essentially replaces the Muskego HS program, which never fully gained traction.  Encouragingly, Greendale's support stems from Assistant Athletic Director Niina Rouse, who's involvement in girls wrestling and rugby has built some significant positive momentum for improving athletic opportunities for high school girls.  The KM rugby alumn has already done some impressive things in her young career..

Conference A

DSHA HS

Green Bay

Stevens Point Area HS

Greenfield

Fox Cities

Conference B

Catholic Memorial HS

DSHA HS JV

Hamilton HS

Bruisers

Madison Furies

League play begins September 14th and concludes with the State Tournament October 27th.  The location of the state tournament is still to be determined but the league semifinals will be held October 19th at Cottage Grove.  Some teams have some pre-season scrimmages in the works before conference play kicks off.

Week One: (League Opening Weekend)

Green Bay @ DSHA 10am Brown Deer Park

Catholic Memorial @ DSHA JV 12pm Brown Deer Park

Hamilton @ Bruisers 10am Nashotah Park

Greenfield @Stevens Point

 

Girls High School Rugby Nationals Records & Notes 2024

Nationals Notes:

Congratulations to Eagle High School.  It's their first National Championship and the first National Champion from Idaho, which has seen high school girls rugby growing strong in a short amount of time.

Congrats to Eagle HS for also logging the most miles:  3,360 (approximately).  Meridian was a close runner-up at 3,354.  We used their school as the location.  

11 of our 14 sides were able to drive to this year's event.

City Honors logged 1,352 miles in vans while Columbia logged 1,324 miles, some driving through the night to attend.

This event would not be a national tournament without such incredible efforts, helping teams compete against teams they'd never otherwise see.

There were 21 matches played and only one of those was a match where two teams had played each other earlier this spring.  

Three JV teams participated, going 4-5, offering more well-coached participants to the event.

This was the first event to feature teams from Illinois.  Congrats to Hononegah HS and Taft HS for their efforts to broaden their horizons with competition.

T-Shirts will still be available online for another week.  This helps fund an event website project.

Mark May 17th-18th, 2025 on your calendars for next year's event.

2024 Order of Finish

1.Eagle HS (ID)

2. DSHA HS (WI)

3. Meridian HS (ID)

4. Columbia Central HS ((TN)

5. Catholic Memorial HS (WI)

6. DSHA jv (WI)

7. Warsaw Area HS (IN)

8. Grandville HS (MI)

9. Hamilton HS (WI)

10. Taft HS (Ill)

11. Eagle HS jv (ID)
12. Columbia HS jv (TN)

13. City Honors HS (NY)
14. Hononegah HS (Ill)

Girls HS Nationals Historical Records

2024 Girls High School Champion: Eagle HS, ID             Location: Madison United Rugby, WI

Runner-up: DSHA, WI

                                        3rd Place: Meridian HS, ID

D2: Sussex Hamilton HS, WI

2023 Girls High School Champion: DSHA HS, WI Location: Madison United Rugby, WI

Runner-up: Rocky Mt. HS, ID

3rd place: Columbia Central HS, TN

2022 Single School Champion: DSHA HS, WI Location: Notre Dame College, OH

Runner-up: Summit HS, CO

3rd Place: Eagle HS, ID

D2: Orchard Park, NY

2019 Single School   Champion:  DSHA HS, WI Location:  Infinity Park, CO

  Runner-Up: Catholic Memorial HS, WI

                          3rd Place:  Summit HS, CO

2018 Single School       Champion:  Kahuku HS, HI                        Location:  MTSU, Tennessee

                                       Runner Up:  Catholic Memorial HS, WI  

                                       3rd:  DSHA HS, WI

                                       D2:  Broken Arrow, OK

2017 Single School        Champion:  DSHA HS, WI                           Location:  Elkhart, Ind

                                        Runner Up:  Kahuku HS, HA

                                        3rd:               Orchard Park, NY

                                        D2:                 Oak Creek HS, WI

2016   Single School        Champion:  St Joseph's Academy, OH       Location:  St Charles, MO

                                          2nd:              Summit High School, CO

                                          3rd:              DSHA High School, WI

                                          Div2:            Penn HS, Ind

    Year   Champion               2nd                         3rd                             Location                  D2

2015   Fallbrook, CA           Kent, WA                Danville, CA            Pittsburgh, PA      South Bay, CA

2014   Fallbrook, CA           Amazons, CA          DSHA, WI                Pittsfield, MA      Pleasanton, CA

2013   Fallbrook, CA           Kent, WA                 DSHA, WI                Racine, WI          Fullerton, CA

2012   Fallbrook, CA           Lakewood, OH        DSHA, WI                Palo Alto, CA

2011   Fallbrook, CA           Amazons, CA          DSHA, WI                Sandy, UT

2010   Amazons, CA           Fallbrook, CA          DSHA, WI                Sandy, UT

2009   DSHA, WI                Lakewood, OH        Amazons, CA            Pittsburgh, PA

2008   DSHA, WI                Lakewood, OH        Amazons, CA            Pittsburgh, PA

2007   DSHA, WI                Kent, WA                 Vernon, WI                Milwaukee, WI

2006   DSHA, WI                Kent, WA                 Ft. Collins, CO          Portland, ME

2005   DSHA, WI                Kent, WA                 Vernon, WI               Milwaukee, WI

2004   DSHA, WI                Kettle Moraine, WI   Amazons, CA           Burbank, CA

2003   Amazons, CA           Ft. Collins, CO        Kettle Moraine, WI    Kansas City, MO

2002   Kent, WA                 Haverford, PA         Northshore, WI         Seattle, WA

2001   Ft. Collins, CO         DSHA, WI               Kent, WA                  Ft. Collins, CO

2000   Ft. Collins, CO         DSHA, WI               Wayzata, MN           Milwaukee, WI

Historical Records:

The National Girls Coaches Committee (NGCC) includes:

John Klein (Chair) 

Matt Frank (East) 

Kelli Vannover (Media) 

Katie Wurst (South & NCAA) 

Talia Carrasquillo WPL and Pathway Advisory